Financial Assessment of a new Soil Heating Technology for Off-season Asparagus Production

The financial effectiveness of a soil heating system placed under the crowns in each raised bed (UCR) of Asparagus plants (Asparagus officinalis L.) was evaluated and then compared with a traditional greenhouse production system (TPS), a plastic greenhouse without any heating system, in northern Greece. Several appraisal approaches, such as net present value, net present value adjusted for inflation and benefit/cost ratio, were used to evaluate the effectiveness of UCR system for off-season Asparagus production. Results demonstrate the importance of UCR system in terms of volume of production, gross returns and overall effectiveness. Finally, the performed sensitivity analysis indicates that product price variations alter the accrued benefits.