CHENNAI: In a move to provide better and sufficient fodder for livestock, the Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (tanuvas) has successfully rolled out its latest hydroponic fodder production. This will help farmers cultivate fodder without soil, with minimum labour and maximum returns.
Hydroponics is a method of growing plants using mineral nutrients in water without soil. This method requires only about two to three litres of water to produce one kilo of fodder, as compared to the conventional method, which requires over 90 litres of water. Apart from minimal use of water, fodder grown in this technique will have more nutrition value, say experts. “This fodder is 26 per cent more nutritious than the others produced conventionally, which usually accounts for less than 15 per cent protein with high concentration,” said S Thilagar, Vice-Chancellor of TANUVAS.
Through hydroponics, it is easier to produce nutritive fodder. “The seeds grow to about eight inches in height in eight days and one kg seed yields up to eight kg green fodder,” he added. During trial, they found that crops such as maize, ragi, bajra, cow-pea, horsegram and sunhemp were found to be suitable to grow under this technique. “Not only this, it will also help people with limited land accessibility, water and labour grow crops,” he added.
Ever since the completion of its trial in June this year, several farmers from across the state have been calling TANUVAS to avail this fodder. “We have been selling it at Rs three per kilo, which is extremely low when compared to the usual cost of Rs 10 per kg,” said a researcher from the university. The project, costing Rs 28.85 lakh, was funded by the National Agriculture Development Programme. With hydroponic technology, the university has been able to produce 1,000 kg of fodder each day, they have also completed trial of their Mobile Multiple Sprinkler system which helps in watering the seeds every three hours.
However, the main aim of introducing this technique was to combat the deficit in fodder production faced by the entire state and country at large. According to experts, Tamil Nadu faces a green fodder deficit of 42 per cent while the entire country faces over 60 per cent deficit. This technique has been practised in several other countries in the West and in the Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. “This is one of the most conducive and cheap techniques. All you need is a small space, tray, water and source of light. We wish to do our bit to help famers have a healthier livestock,” said Thilagar.
Advantages of Hydroponic Fodder