Hydroponics And Catfish Farming.

I have being following the hydroponics technology trend for some times now. And this is made possible through one of my friend, who is also the number one proponent of hydoponics technology in Nigeria; Pastor Adebowale Onafowora. The technology which is fast providing succor to livestock farmers and dramatically changing and restoring hopes to the livestock farming in Nigeria through fodder production. As a fish farmer, I watch with amazement how this amazing technology is helping poultry, pig, cow, rabbit, grasscutter farmers among several to smile to the banks, and wander when would my own 'saviour' show up! I beleive the universal mind heard my supplication. I was privileged to attend another of Pastor Adebowale's BIC Farms training not too long ago in Portharcourt where among several other revelations the conveyner revealed  this 'superorganism' called Azolla.

Click the link below for detail:

https://catfishplus.wordpress.com/2017/02/18/save-and-grow-azolla-and-catfish-magic/

Fodder Production for livestock through Hydroponic Technology

What is hydroponic fodder production technology?

This  is  growing  of  fodder  without  soil  but  in  water  for  a  maximum  of  6  days. The  water  must  be  safe  for  human  drinking.  You  can  sprout  seeds  of  barley, maize, oats,  wheat or  sorghum to obtain fodder for cattle,  pigs  or  poultry.

What are the benefits of hydroponics technology?
1. Fodder is produced within a short a time and in a small area.
2. Fodder is completely edible to livestock –they eat the entire mat, roots and  green growth. There is no wastage of feed.
3. Water requirement is less and can be recycled.
4. Minimal running  costs; soil  preparation, weed  control and  post-harvest loss.
5. Minimal incidences of pests and diseases.

Step by step to produce hydroponic fodder
1. Select seeds without overgrowths and free of chemicals
2. Disinfect  seeds  by  soaking  in  diluted  chlorine  solution  (similar  to  what  is used  to  disinfect  drinking  water)  for  2  hours  to  prevent  mould/fungus growth
3. Drain chlorinated water and rinse grains then soak the  grains  in  water  for 24  hours to  promote water uptake by the grains
4. For  grain  sowing,  measure  2kg  of  grains  for  each  tray  that  measures 80cm by 40cm
5. Spread  the  grains  on  the  trays  evenly  (not  over  3cm  deep)  to  provide enough space for each seed to sprout
6. Ensure  your  tray  has  holes  that  are  evenly  spread  at  the  bottom  for proper  drainage of water
7. Transfer the trays to  the  hydroponic  unit.  Germination  of  seeds  begins  at this  point  and  is  considered  day  1.
8. Irrigate from day 1 to day 6 at intervals of 4 hours in every 24 hours (30 seconds for automated system and 1 minute for manual system).

Day 1 - Seeds swell
Day 2 - White nodes appear
Day 3 -Seeds sprout
Day 4 -Leaves take form

Feeding hydroponic fodder to livestock
Cattle:Provide  8kg  of  the  hydroponic  barley  to  replace  2.5kg  dairy  meal  in addition  to  hay  and  silage.
Pigs: At fattening  stage  provide  3kg  of  hydroponic  fodder  and  2kgs  of  dry feed. Poultry: For 100  layers  provide  8kg  of  hydroponic  fodder  in  addition  to  4kg  of layers  mash per day.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Extension) dvcre@egerton.ac.ke,  www.egerton.ac.ke