ASSESSING THE ECONOMIC-EFFICIENCY OF A SOILLESS CULTURE SYSTEM FOR OFF-SEASON STRAWBERRY PRODUCTION

The financial effectiveness of a soilless vertical bag system of hydro ponics culture was evaluated for off-season strawberry (Fragaria x ana nassa Duch) production in heated greenhouses in northern Greece. Finan cial analysis revealed that the implementation of this soilless cultur e system instead of the traditional production system under plastic tu nnels would not be profitable for Greek farmers due to its high initia l investment and high fuel consumption. Sensitivity analysis indicated the importance of product price in affecting the magnitude of benefit s, confirming the interest of farmers to produce off-season strawberri es to market them when prices are likely to be higher. In addition, yi eld increase will have a positive effect upon farmers' income.