With efforts to produce highly nutritious green fodder for both livestock and poultry, farmers and those interested in venturing into fodder production have been challenged to maximize the hydroponic farming technique.
Speaking to KNA, Mary Wanja who is an administrator and hydroponics trainer at Hydroponics Africa in the Zambezi area in Muguga ward, said that utilizing this modern method to grow green fodder for animals was more advantageous to both the farmer and livestock consuming it due to the nutritional value.
“When using the hydroponic method, there is no use of soil and chemicals but rather fortified fodder seeds, water, and absorbable nutrients, which reduce the readiness period from 12 weeks if grown conventionally to a maximum of 4 to 7 days depending on which animal the fodder is to be fed,” Wanja explained.
“The duration to fodder readiness varies. If it is grown to feed poultry, the maturity time is 4 days, for sheep, goats, and pigs take 6 days while that for feeding cattle and camels takes 7 days before it is cut into pieces which are easily fed to the respective animal,” she added.
Read the complete article at www.kbc.co.ke.