Wana jamii wenzangu nawekaa hii mada tuweze kupeana ujuzi kuhusiana na hii technology inayotumika na mataifa ya nje kulisha mifugo Yao kwa mazao bora yanayotokana na hiyo mifugo,si hivyo tu hata majirani zetu kenya wameanza kutumia hii njia katika ufugaji.mwenye ujuzi kuhusu hii kitu naomba tueleweshane.
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WHO ARE HYDROPONICSKENYA
Though started as a private project to train,install and sell all hydroponic consumables,hydroponicskenya has parnted with an European church organization to promote hydroponic fodder and vegetables technology of farming to the most deserving small scale farmers in Kenya.As a results of this partnership,we are able to make a hydroponic fodder for one cow at a record fee of 4800/ only for people who are not very far from Nairobi.
WHAT IS HYDROPONICS
Hydroponic is the art of growing plants with out the use of soil.Though relatively new in Kenya,it has been documented in prehistoric Egypt and Babylon.In South Africa,it has been practiced for decades and for years in Zimbabwe,Ethiopia and Tunisia.In Kenya hydroponic for vegetables and horticulture started in late 80s with flower firms business,however hydroponic for fodder started in 1998 with the support from Dutch Government.There are few individuals who have been doing hydroponic fodder in Kenya as early as 1987.
METHODS IN HYDROPONIC
There are two methods of hydroponic farming,;
There are two methods of hydroponic farming,;
USING INERT MEDIA(hydroponic vegetables and horticulture)
Here soil is replaced by inert media like river sand, coconut peak, rice husks, macadamia husks, or volcanic rocks. The work of inert media is to support the plant upright since in hydroponic, the fertilizer is mixed with irrigation water in a process called fertigation. Under this method, vegetables like spinach, sukumawiki, cabbages e.t.c, tubers like carrots, onions, potatoes etc legumes like beans and fruit like tomatoes and strawberries are grown.
USING WATER AS THE MEDIA(hydroponic fodder for livestock)
Here soil is replaced by water which has the nutrients. This method is used to grow hydroponic
fodder for livestock and barley grass for human.
ADVANTAGES OF PLANTS GROWN HYDROPONICALLY
1) Fast growth and early maturity; this is because the
seed does not use a lot of energy and time to break the
soil.
2) Increase in yield; plants do not invest too much on
root system and the extra energy is used to increase the
yield.
3) Elimination of soil-borne diseases like bacterial wilts and nematodes
4) Increase in harvesting period.
5) Minimal use of fertilizer, water and space
HYDROPONIC FODDER FOR LIVESTOCK (COWS, SHEEP, GOAT, PIGS, CHICKEN(broilers, layers,
kenbro, dorep, quail, kuroilers E.T.C)
REQUIREMENTS
1) HOUSING;
the structure should have
a temperature range of between
17-25 o c. This is because below 17 o c
there may be slow growth and above
25 o c barley may start fermenting.
ii) SEED;
Barley is the best to sprout because
of its nutrients and energy, other seeds
like wheat, sorghum, millet, maize etc
can also be sprouted.
iii) WATER;
Water should be clean and free from impurities.
iv) SUPPORT SURFACE; Treated aluminum trays are the best but they are costly. 200nn u.v
treated polythene can also be used but they require washing with chlorine after every harvest.For durability,aluminum trays are recommended.Trays contribute up to 70% of the installation cost.
v) FERTILIZER;
We have a patented hydroponic nutrient solution which is safe for livestock and for man as a third party.
For farmers who would like to use organic fertilizer,we have a tutorial on how to make liquid organic fertilizer from either cow dung,birds droppings or pig dung.
FEEDING PROGRAM
DAILY FEEDING PROGRAM FOR COWS
DAIRY COW
By a dairy cow we mean such a cow which produces 20 to 30 liters of milk per day or it has such a potential.For those which genetically produces less,give less fodder as you observe the production.
There are two methods of feeding such an cow;
---as the main meal;
45kg fodder +3 kg dry matter ( hay, maize, stoker, dried grass, dry Napier e.t.c)+150g calcium
salt. or
as supplement;
16kg of fodder + the normal feed stuff
Please note that for every kg of dairy meal you give to your cow,give 2 kg of hydroponic fodder;
1kg dairy meal(32/) = 2 kg fodder (15/)
ADVANTAGES
1) Increase in milk output from 10 percent.
2) Increase in fertility-one calf per year is assured.
3) Milk natural taste, color and smell are enhanced.
4) General immunity of the animal is boosted.
5) A saving of between 100 Ksh and 200
Ksh daily per cow is guaranteed.
To grow fodder for two dairy cows per month will require 0.5 litres of hydroponic nutrient
solution.
Giving hydroponic fodder as;
(a) Supplement- 2 kg barley seed per day per cow
(b) Main fodder- 6 kg barley seed per day per cow.
So, to feed two dairy cows on hydroponic fodder as;
a) Supplement you will require 4 Kg of barley seed.
b) Main meal fodder you will require 12 Kg of barley seed.
FATTENING OF BULL AND DROUGHT STRICKEN COWS
15KG fodder +1.5kg maize meal +dry pasture
Young bulls (6 MONTHS OLD) are known to increase the weight by 108kg for three months under
this feeding program. This is because between six and nine months is bone spat period in
cows. Emaciated cows recover in just one month.
PIGS
Pigs can feed entirely on barley sprouts and attain market weight(70kg) after 8 months with a fat coat of 8 mm or 50% FODDER + 50% POLLARD and attain market weight after 6.5 months with a fat coat of 11mm.
A kg of pork with a fat coat of 9 mm and below sells at 265kshs. while above 11mm sells at 220kshs.
Bottom line, a farmer has to make decision on which method to use depending with the market and time.
ADVANTAGES
i. Fat coat is reduced by 50 percent (FROM
14MM TO 7 MM.)
ii. They mature earlier by 2 weeks.
iii. Offensive smell associated with pigs is
almost eliminated.
iv. General immunity is improved.
v. Saving of between 2000 to 2500kshs per pig
is evident.
POULTRY
LOCAL BREED
Aim to give 150g of fodder to any mature hen, Ducks, goose, pigeon, and quail eat according to
their body weight.
EXOTICThey take fodder 50 percent and 50 percent coconut cake or convectional feed.
ADVANTAGES
i) Early maturity; broilers are ready by 28th day and layers start laying at 16th week.
ii) The egg yolk is bright yellow in color,
iii) Cannibalism is eliminated.
iv) Save between 40 to 60 percent on feed