Hydroponics farming in Kenya, as a profitable alternative for traditional methods of farming.
Hydroponics farming in Kenya is revolutionary, and it is especially appealing to agriculturists looking to expand into less productive areas. Hydroponics” recent technological advancements have created limitless agricultural opportunities, allowing you and other prospective farmers to harness high productivity even in the absence or scarcity of soil.
For this reason, irrihydrosol has teamed with qualified professionals in the hydroponics area, handling all matters hydroponics. Read through the entire article to understand hydroponics better, and give us a call for any clarifications.
Hydroponic farming is becoming more popular in Kenya. However, it has proven to be abundant in various parts of the world. Learning how to grow hydroponic fodder at home is essential for abundant fodder production throughout the year. Furthermore, the technology achieves predictable vegetable yields that are not affected by adverse weather changes. It is important to note that if implemented to its full potential, hydroponics will reduce the severity of food insecurity across Africa and beyond. Because plants no longer have to waste energy searching for essential growth nutrients, hydroponics ensures rapid maturity.
What exactly is hydroponic farming?
The term hydroponics combines the words “hydro” and “ponos,” implying that soil is not required for this farming method, or simply working water. Farmers cultivate plants under controlled conditions, including water volume and nutrient supply. Farmers, in essence, grow plants in water rather than soil, as is the traditional method. By adding specific amounts and types of nutrients to the water, the technique grows plants under controlled productivity. By promoting efficient nutrient consumption, hydroponics systems promote rapid growth of vegetables and fodder. As a result, a farmer can harvest higher yields in less time than with other traditional fodder-growing methods. Hydroponic fodder cultivation requires simple science to grow crops, requiring minimal input cost, water, and time.
Various types of hydroponics
There are roughly six different types of hydroponic systems.
- Deep Water Culture (DWC)
- Aeroponics
- Wick Systems
- Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
- Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
- Drip Systems
There are several hydroponic kit suppliers on the market, but farmers can save money by fabricating their units based on expected production volume and projected returns. The specifications listed below will serve as a guide for you to build your unit from scratch.
How to Construct a Hydroponic Fodder System
A hydroponics fodder unit is simple to construct because it is a chamber with predetermined humidity, temperature, and lighting intensity for active sprouting and growth of fodder. A hydroponic fodder system is typically composed of a framework of shelves on which plastic trays are stacked.
Design and installation of hydroponic structures
The structure includes a growing cabinet, tray racks for the watering system, seeds, a motor, and a timer, among other things.
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Design of hydroponics cabinets
We recommend the square-shaped cabinet because it is simple to make and practical in practice. Cabinet sizes vary greatly depending on the number of hydroponic trays a farmer intends to have. By arranging trays in squares, the cabinet can be easily constructed from bamboo, UPVC, or even mild steel pipes. Racks with allotted angles, on the other hand, can work well. To reduce the intensity of the light and maintain the required humidity levels, the cabinet requires a 50% covering of green shed net.
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Design of a hydroponic rack
Tray racks are commonly constructed from UPVC, MS, or bamboo. Tray rack heights should be determined by the height of the fodder and its daily cycle. For example, two 6-inch-high racks on the lower level. Following are two to three racks that are 8 to 12 inches high. The upper cabinet should be 12 to 15 inches high. To overcome the challenge of fungal growth and water lodgement, the design must include a gentle slope.
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Design of hydroponic trays
There are now several trays on the market that differ in terms of durability, quality, and price. Specialized hydroponic square trays measuring 2 feet, for example, cost a whopping KShs. 600. We will use a bottom perforated simple office tray measuring 1.5 ft by 1 ft in our description. Simply drill a series of equidistant holes in an unperforated tray. Drill a sufficient number of holes to prevent fungal infections and water lodgement. After each use, these trays should be disinfected in the sun or with diluted hydrogen peroxide.
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Hydroponic Seeds- various crops that can be grown in hydroponics
Farmers can increase oat, barley, wheat, and maize yields by first ensuring that their seeds are free of fungal contamination. Brine water treatment is also recommended to assist in the removal of all broken seeds that float in the solution. Soak the good seeds in potassium permanganate for 10 minutes. To reduce the likelihood of fungal infections, treat the seeds with trichoderma Sp powder after sprouting.
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Watering system for hydroponics
Purchase a 0.5Hp motor pump capable of powering a set of 100 trays in the unit. Use a 0.25Hp motor for smaller trays. Install jain irrigation misters rather than foggers because they are easier to maintain and take in less pressure.
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Drip irrigation in hydroponics
A standard 16mm HDEP drip line is recommended
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Timer for hydroponics
The best timers in this application operate for 1 to 2 minutes per hour
Cost estimates for a hydroponics system
The cost of installing a hydroponic system varies greatly depending on the number of trays. 30 to 50 trays will cost you around KShs. 30,000 and can go up to KShs. 50,000.
The advantages and disadvantages of hydroponics
Advantages of Hydroponics
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Water conservation
Hydroponic systems use a fraction of the water required by traditional farming methods. Even so, the method provides quality stock feed in a timely manner. According to research, it takes about a liter of water to produce one kilogram of fodder, whereas other conventional methods require more than 90 liters of water.
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Reduced labor needs
Depending on the size of the structure and the number of trays, the methods require about an hour of maintenance labor per day.
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Extensive land use
Hydroponic farming has numerous economic and environmental advantages. Interestingly, fodder raised in a 9m by 6m shed can consistently feed cattle grazing on 1200 acres of land.
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Budget-friendly
Early results from ongoing hydroponic farming trials in Kenya confirm that the method is extremely cost-effective and financially sustainable. A 4 by 3 by 3 metre system costs KShs. 1,050 to feed 14 cattle with a daily output of 170Kg fodder.
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Excellent nutritional value
Hydroponic farming is ideal for producing high protein supplies, energy foods, and other nutrient-dense feeds. Crops also grow faster because there is more oxygen available in the root area.
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A steady supply of food
Other Benefits include but not limited to :
- Controls and eliminates soil-borne diseases, insects, bacteria, and fungi.
- Use fertilizer sparingly.
- It can be used in areas where conventional agriculture or gardening is not feasible (for example, dry desert areas or cold climate regions)
- Greater control over nutrient content, pH, and growing environment.
- Some crops, such as lettuce and strawberries, can be lifted from ground level to a much better height for planting, cultivation, and harvesting, providing much better working conditions and thus lower labor costs.
- Crop rotation and fallowing are not required, and transplant shock is reduced.
Disadvantages of hydroponics
High start-up costs
Hydroponic farming is an expensive endeavor. However, you can reduce acquisition costs by designing the structure yourself using the above-mentioned guide. In general, creating an artificial growing environment raises the cost of the method in comparison to other traditional methods. Progressive monitoring of inputs is also difficult.
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