Hydroponic Fodder Production: A Sustainable Solution to Ending Conflicts between Farmers and Nomadic-Fulani nomads in Nigeria.
By: Oluwaniyi Olumayowa. O
(MSc. Agricultural and Environmental Engineering)
lordmayor213@gmail.com
I visited a farm in August this year and I saw how the nomadic Fulani nomads had used their cattle to feed on an innocent farmer’s cultivated farmland. Months of hard labor all destroyed in one day, hope for a precious source of livelihood for the farmer had been crushed by the inconsiderate Fulani nomads. At other times, the failure of Fulani nomads to control their cattle, thereby, causing damages to farmlands leads to conflicts, between famers and Fulani nomads in which lives are lost. In addition to this, growing insecurity and the effects of climate change are worsening this bad situation as droughts are pushing herdsmen into areas their cattle previously did not graze upon. To address the perennial clashes between Farmers and Fulani nomads, the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari are coming up with a grazing reserve bill which maps out grazing areas around the country. Also, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in March this year announced moves to import grasses for cattle feeding from Brazil. However, this move seems to be a quick fix; the government needs to implement a better solution which is sustainable and effective. Having this thought in mind I tried my hands on hydroponic fodder production. Hydroponics Fodder production in Nigeria stands as a better solution to ending the nomadic cattle rearing system causing conflict. Hydroponic fodder technology is a soilless system of cultivating animal fodders in mineral rich solution.Utilizing this technology, the root absorbs a balanced nutrient solution dissolved in water that meets all the plant's developmental requirements. This system offer farmers the availability of nutritious green fodder to feed their animals all year round because it can produce green fodder within a short period (7-10 days) and requires only a small piece of land for the production to take place. A 3m x 4m Hydroponics room is the equivalent of about 2acres of natural grass land. It can feed about 10 cows, 30 pigs and 40 goats per day. Hydroponic fodder saves a farmer about 50% on animal field, while increasing the yield of milk in dairy cows. Grains such as barley, maize, oats, wheat or sorghum are used in the production of Hydroponics fodder. Going by my experience in the laboratory scale experiment of hydroponic fodder using sorghum and wheat seeds, sorghum was more resistant to molds and the fodder was about 15cm long in about 10 days of production. The wheat fodder trays were all covered with molds by the third day which inhibited the growth of the fodder. The advantages of this system makes it a better alternative for the government in providing a sustainable solution to the Fulani nomad-farmers conflict by providing feed banks for cattle in strategic locations across the country. The advantages include:
Production of fodder for cattle consumption within a short time (7-10 days) and in a small area,
Less water requirement and opportunity for recycling,
All year round of production of organic green grass for cattle consumption which translates to a more healthy meat produced for consumption
Low running cost
Organic fertilizer production unit can be established in those areas designated for the cattle rearing. This would serve as organic manure for eco-farming
Generation of local rural employment
Promotion of President Buhari’s administration's agricultural transformation agenda on promoting the use of smart (green) technologies in agriculture.
In conclusion, Hydroponic fodder production is still a new aspect of farming technology in Nigeria. Private famers should utilize this technology to boost agricultural production. Also, if embraced, the federal government stands a chance of providing a lasting solution to the nomadic system of livestock rearing in Nigeria, thereby creating more business/job opportunities to unemployed youths. This will be a major contribution to the development of the country.

we ar getting there tns need to be revolutionised

Please give us the cost of feeding 10 matured cows in a month using fodder from sorghum

cost of daily sorghum
cost of organic liquid nutrients
cost of labour per day
cost of setting up 3m x 4m room
Etc


compare to growing Congo grasses on two acres and after two months cut and feed the animals ,the grass will last 10 years with good management
m
Mean while you can regenerate fresh seeds twice in a year from the grasses if you plant some specifically for seeds production

A kg of Congo grass seeds is N4k (as of 2017 April)

Call Gbenga on 08120528950

It can also use to feed chicken and Turkey but sir where can someone get nutrient solution for hydroponic farming i had fish weast can also use to nutrient solution

https://www.nairaland.com/5518879/fodder-trays-racks-sale we have nice trays and rack for hydroponics