Some farmers in Rwanda are saving their livestock from the effects of dry spells by adopting hydroponic fodder production. With challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and extreme weather events, hydroponics offers an innovative solution.

Hydroponic fodder is produced by growing seeds without soil and with minimal water, using about ten times less water than traditional methods. Within six to seven days, the seeds sprout into seedlings that are 30-35 centimeters tall and provide highly nutritious fodder.

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The process begins with soaking well-dried cereal grains in water for four hours to absorb enough moisture for germination. The grains are then placed in a germination chamber for 24 to 48 hours until sprouts appear. They are then moved to growing trays without using fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides.

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. The fodder is ready to be fed to animals, with the entire plant (roots, leaves, and seeds) consumed, making the system waste-free.

Justine Habimana, a farmer from Mugesera Sector in Ngoma District, told The New Times that he established a hydroponic fodder facility in early 2024 on 12 square meters, using only 25 to 30 liters of harvested rainwater per day for spraying.

"During the dry season, we face scarcity of fodder due to lack of irrigation. Hydroponic fodder technique has been a solution since it requires less water, which you can even afford through rainwater harvesting.

I can plant over 100 kilograms of grains such as maize, wheat, and sorghum and harvest about one tonne of fodder,” he explained. "Two kilograms of planted grains can produce around 10 kilograms of fodder."

The technology can feed 10 cows on just 12 square meters of space. The highly nutritious fodder, with a higher content of essential proteins and vitamins, enhances the livestock’s health and productivity.

"I have two cows and three pigs. For instance, the piglet I reared since December 2023 was fed on hydroponic fodder. I sold it at the beginning of July this year for Rwf220,000 because they quickly and healthily grow after feeding them with such fodder. Milk production per cow, which used to provide four liters, has doubled.

The weight of the cow and pig increases, and thus meat production increases,” Habimana said. He added that he plans to start rearing poultry given his hydroponic fodder facility.

Julienne Mushimiyimana, a farmer from Kageyo Sector in Gicumbi District, currently has 20 cows she feeds with hydroponic fodder. "Milk production per cow, which was providing seven liters, has increased to over 10 liters per day.

Every cow consumes a quantity depending on its weight. During the dry season, it is difficult to get green grass on hills. Hydroponic fodder is a solution because we can mix it with other varieties of grass. Hydroponic fodder is like supplementary food,” she said.

Jackson Karara, the director 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.

Facilities for hydroponic fodder have been established in Ngoma, Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Kayonza, and Gatsibo districts.

"Hydroponic fodder production is an innovative solution in times of both drought and the rainy season,” he said.

Incentives

Karara mentioned that the government has provided incentives, including VAT exemption for hydroponic kits during importation.

"This has spurred the technology extensions and reduced heavy installation costs for farmers with limited resources,” he said. The government has also included hydroponic fodder feeding in the national animal feed policy.

"Other needed incentives are joint farmer training and awareness campaigns between the government and private actors. Access to low-interest loans, meaning single-digit interest capital, and grants or matching grants for scalability of technological projects are also needed,” he added.

Model Countries

Karara noted that they look to Israel, the United States, Europe, and Australia as role models. Besides its success in Europe, other countries on the continent, such as Ethiopia, Kenya, and South Africa, have already been practicing this type of fodder production.

Namibian farmers are now becoming aware of this technology to cope with climate change and prolonged droughts.

In a bid to increase the area covered with various fodder varieties for livestock from the current 32,000 hectares to 87,000 hectares, Mupenzi Mutimura, a researcher in feed resources and animal nutrition at the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), said they are engaging farmers and the private sector in hydroponic fodder cultivation.

"We are also partnering with UNDP to set up model hydroponic fodder facilities,” he said, adding that the goal is to meet 85% of the needed various livestock fodder varieties with hydroponic fodder contributing significantly.