Greenhouse Growing

I am in the US Army Reserve and activated to Afghanistan. I am assigned to a team that is providing Humanitarian Assisstance to the Afghani people. A project I have just started here is teaching the people how to build and manage a greenhouse for the growing of vegetables. I am a novice at this myself but the possibilities for benefits that a greenhouse could have in this depressed area are endless. I could use any guidance on maintaining a greenhouse in a desert enviroment and any tips you think may apply and make it easier for me to introduce greenhouses to people who have never before considered using one. Thanks...

I managed 10,000 square feet of greenhouse in a desert climate of Canada for a couple years. In terms of maintenance, the UV resistance of the glazing is important. Glass will not be a problem but plastic coverings must able to resist UV degredation for at least 4 years. Wind is another factor, try to design for wind resistance and good aerodynamics. The design of a greenhouse for a developing nation needs to be of appropriate scale and materials that are avaliable and affordable. Ventilation is critical. Are you going to use fans? Can the average user get fans easily? You may have to build walls that open up when temperatures rise to scorching levels. My greenhouses had to be shut down for the hottest summer months. Let me know if this is any help.