author(s)
David C Nyaki

abstract
This research paper examines the comparative benefits, challenges, and economic viability of open-field and protected vegetable cultivation methods in Arusha, Tanzania. Protected environment structures (PES), such as greenhouses, polyhouses, and net houses, offer enhanced control over environmental factors, leading to improved yields and quality. This study provides a comprehensive analysis based on field data, and existing literature, highlighting the differences in productivity, resource efficiency, and sustainability between the two cultivation methods.