Hydroponics fodder technology innovation arrives in Kenya

Kenyan livestock farmers are growing fodder in 8 days using an innovation called hydroponics fodder technology. Kenyan livestock farmers can now grow high quality animal feeds for maximization of livestock yields. These sounds too good to be true yet it’s tested and proven. The high yielding hydroponics fodder technology innovation is fast spreading in the country, offering Kenyan livestock farmers round supply of nutritious green fodder. Hydroponics fodder technology has a cycle of eight days producing up to 50 kgs of the fodder in a 20 by 10 feet space, enough to feed 20 mature cows or 120 goats all year round. Christened by Kenyan livestock farmers as hydroponics fodder technology, due to its ability to grow fodder and other crops without the soil, it has been embraced by Kenyan livestock farmers as a solution to land scarcity, as a factor of agriculture production is continually becoming limited in the face of population pressure and skyrocketing cost of commercial feeds. 

The innovation has been in existence for the last 50 years globally. Kenyan livestock farmers are just piloting the innovation with majority of about 2 million livestock farmers in Kenya yet to try it.  Hydroponics fodder technology innovation application involves germination of seeds in nutrient rich growth media solutions instead of soil, producing nutritious grass/ root combination. Hydroponics fodder technology versus ordinary cattle feed pasture production requires minimal space and the resulting pasture has is more nutritious. A greenhouse with trays stacked on is required for this innovation. Hydroponics fodder is grown under controlled environment in a six to 10 day cycle. Barley is the most preferred by the innovation due to its superior performance. Grains develop roots and green shoots to form a dense mat. Carbon dioxide addition cuts the growing time to four days and increases production by upto 25 percent.

144M² greenhouse can hold about 1800 trays and produce an average of 1200kg per day using only 800 to 1000 litres of water. This amount of fodder can be used to supplement 100 heads of cattle or 500 heads of sheep or goats per day.

Kenyan livestock farmers have found the following advantages in hydroponics fodder technology innovation:-

Hydroponics fodder technology innovation has ability to save water as its biggest advantage. It requires about two litres of water to produce one kilo of fodder compared to 80 to 90 litres required to produce one kilo of green grass. Hydroponics fodder technology also saves Kenyan livestock farmers the agony of expensive fodder storage facilities because the innovation guarantees a constant supply of high quality fodder.

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Hydroponics, Aquaponics & Aeroponics farming technologies

Kenya’s forest cover has progressively reduced from 10% at independence in 1963 to less than 3% presently. This situation is a result of massive deforestation, particularly for farming without replacing the plants. This has had a huge negative effect on the water towers and subsequently food security. Africa and the entire world are just waking up to the reality of the impacts of climate change. This means there is urgent need to adapt our agriculture practices to climate change, by departing from traditional methods of farming. Hydroponics, Aquaponics and Aeroponics are innovations whose time has come, and they are invaluable for global poverty and hunger alleviation. 

These modern farming systems are advantageous in that they conserve water and minimize use of pesticides on plants. They are also environment friendly and inclined to organic farming and the resulting produce is low in agrochemicals residue, healthy to consume and fetches better prices in the market. These systems are vital for addressing most of the current global challenges of the agriculture industry

The word hydroponics is derived from two Greek words hydro and ponos which means labour. Rather than growing plants in the soil media, hydroponics involves growing plants in a nutrient-rich solution. In hydroponics the growing medium is a pH adjusted water solution. The plants nutrients dissolved in the water and are absorbed easily by the plants. According to proven research findings, plants roots absorb nutrients easier when dissolved in water than when in the soil. In some cases inert media are used to hold the roots e.g. sand, gravel, perlite, vermiculite, rockwool, coir, coconut husks, sawdust and peatmos .Hydroponics method of farming is economical in that it requires reduced water, reduced fertilizer and pesticides leading to consumer friendly produce with minimal chemical residue levels, which commands better market prices.

Furthermore hydroponics requires minimal space and can be easily practiced in urban areas. Hydroponics system therefore addresses food security by providing  affordable, locally-grown vegetables. For small holders with limited land, the modern system is ideal. Hydroponics system is not only low cost and easy to use, but can be optimized for high yields using minimal resources. Furthermore pests and diseases are easy to control without the use of pesticides, crops are easier to harvest, there’s no nutrients leaching, and the water can be reused.

quaponics is similar to hydroponics the difference being growing of plants is combined with fish farming. The fish’s waste provides rich organic manure to the plants which in turn provides oxygen for the fish, a typical symbiotic relationship. In ancient China and Thailand, the Aztecs are known to have practiced aquaponics farming system whereby rice farming was done alongside fish farming. 

Last but not least aeroponics is growing of plants in the air in which case the roots are suspended in a closed space and sprayed with a nutrient rich solution and then left to grow in no medium.  It saves a lot of water in addition to easy control of pests and diseases. This leads to healthy organic produce.For more information read the following links 

1. http://yagrein.blogspot.com/2013/01/green-house-farming-technology.html
2. Hydroponics and Plant Nutrients
3. Shirley Cox

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‘Moringa oleifera’ The wonder Agro-forestry vegetable tree in Kenya

                                       

Moringa agroforestry is increasingly being adopted by farmers in Kenya particularly in Mombasa, Kilifi, Baringo and Laikipia. This is an excellent food security solution as moringa is in full leaf by the end of dry seasons.The  plant   is easily propagated and recommended for homesteads for its food value. The leaves are nutritious vegetables, Flowers are a delicacy, eaten cooked and taste like mushrooms.Immature green pods are used like French beans and are quite popular. Mature ponds are eaten like peas or roasted like nuts. The seeds produce clear, odorless edible oil that resists rancidity. The seedcake that remains after oil extraction is used as a fertilizer or water purifier.  The roots are used as a condiment seasoning. Moringa agroforestry tree is becoming the most sought after vegetable tree due to its numerous medicinal and nutritional benefits.

Moringa oleifera originated from India and spread to the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Moringa oleifera agroforestry trees are very easy to grow, and they are propagated from seeds or cuttings. They grow very fast in a wide range of soils;They perform well even in poor soils, arid and semi-arid harsh climates. Flowering occurs only 8 months after planting.

In Kenya Moringa agroforestry tree products are sold by dealers in tropical medicine, including Jomo Kenyatta University of agriculture and technology. The products are scarce and in high demand. Therefore Moringa nurseries and farm forestry are excellent business opportunities in Kenya and other African countries. Moringa agroforestry tree nursery establishment is simple. Follow the directions below for Moringa propagation:-

• Make a soil mixture with 1:3 ratio of soil to sand.
• Fill poly tubes with the soil sand mixture.
• Plant 2-3 seeds per poly tube at a planting depth of about 2.5 cm.
• Water regularly but avoid excess moisture.
• Germination will take about 14 days.
• Thin to leave one vigorously growing seedling in every tube.
• Continue watering regularly to ensure enough moisture to facilitate growth.
• Seedlings will take 4-6 months in the nursery.
• Transplant or sell after 4-6 months when seedlings are 60-90 cm in height.

http://yagrein.blogspot.com/p/what-are-youth-saying.html

 

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