In a bid to increase the area covered with various fodder varieties for livestock from the current 32,000 hectares to 87,000 hectares, the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) is engaging farmers and the private sector in hydroponic fodder cultivation.

This technique aims to address forage and feed shortages for cattle, thereby enhancing milk production and sustaining small livestock during dry spells over the next five years.

Hydroponic farming is being promoted as Rwanda prepares to launch its first milk powder factory in Nyagatare District this week, which will require increased milk production. Hydroponic fodder is produced by growing seeds without soil and with minimal water.

Within six to seven days, the seeds sprout, growing into seedlings that are 30-35 centimeters tall and provide highly nutritious fodder.

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The process involves placing selected grains into treated trays without soil and spraying them with a nutrient-rich water solution at regular intervals. No electricity is needed for the growing process, but a reliable source of potable water is essential.

After seven days, the fodder is ready to be fed to animals, with the entire plant (roots, leaves, and seeds) consumed, making the system waste-free. It takes between 800 milliliters and one liter of water to produce one kilogram of fodder, compared to 80-90 liters needed to grow a kilogram of green grass on soil.

The technology is part of the 5th Strategic Plan for Agriculture Transformation (PSTA5), which runs from 2024. Mupenzi Mutimura, a researcher in feed resources and animal nutrition at RAB, explained that due to the government&039;s enforcement of zero grazing, there is a heightened need for increased fodder and feed production.

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Research has been conducted to identify suitable fodder varieties for each agro-ecological zone across the country.

There are currently 31 varieties of fodder from legumes and over 20 from cereals, with nine varieties being grown on a large scale by farmers with limited land through hydroponic technology.

Mutimura noted that hydroponic fodder enhances the immune system and increases milk and meat production due to its high protein content. Facilities for hydroponic fodder have been established in Ngoma, Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Kayonza, and Gatsibo districts. Although the current production of hydroponic fodder is insufficient, progress is being made.

The goal is to meet 85% of livestock fodder needs, with hydroponic fodder contributing significantly. This technology also helps reduce methane emissions in the livestock sector.

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The agriculture sector is the primary source of methane emissions in Rwanda, driven by enteric fermentation and manure management in livestock. The country aims to reduce methane emissions by 30% with a focus on the agriculture sector.

University graduates&039; involvement

Jackson Karara, president of the Uruhimbi Kageyo Cooperative in Gicumbi District, said that since 2020, they have supplied hydroponic fodder to farmers in seven districts with an initial capital of Rwf12 million.

They currently serve over 300 farmers but need financial support to expand. The cooperative sells hydroponic fodder at varying prices depending on the livestock: Rwf80 to Rwf120 per kilogram for cows, Rwf180 for pigs, rabbits, goats, and sheep, Rwf260 for chickens, and Rwf330 for fish.

Fodder is harvested at different stages for different animals: four days for poultry, six days for pigs, rabbits, goats, and sheep, three days for fish, and seven days for cows.

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The cooperative has also trained over 150 youth, including those with disabilities, refugees, and women, as well as 2,000 farmers on hydroponic fodder farming to create jobs. Karara emphasized that green fodder increases milk production year-round and that the technology can feed 10 cows on just 12 square meters of space.

Karara mentioned that building a hydroponic fodder facility costs between Rwf1.5 million and Rwf2.5 million and can last up to seven years, including training costs. There is a high demand for hydroponic fodder, necessitating further investments and low-interest loans. Their project has helped reduce methane emissions from livestock by 42%.

Benefits for Farmers in Drought-Prone Areas

Francis Nkurunziza, a livestock farmer from Mwogo sector in Bugesera District, recounted how prolonged dry spells from May to October 2021 halved his milk production and led to the loss of six cows. Without irrigation systems, planted fodder could not survive, leading to conflicts among farmers over scarce resources. Hydroponic fodder could have mitigated these losses.

In Nyagatare District, milk production often drops from 90,000 liters to 40,000 liters per day during dry seasons, driving up milk prices.

Samuel Kayumba, a dairy farmer from Nyagatare, noted that his milk supply decreased from 50 liters per day during the rainy season to 30 liters per day in July due to drought. However, Clementine Mukangarambe, a farmer from Rwamagana District, reported that hydroponic fodder doubled her cow&039;s milk production from five liters.

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Hydroponic fodder offers a sustainable solution to fodder shortages and milk production challenges, particularly in drought-prone areas, contributing to Rwanda's agricultural transformation and climate resilience.