Animal Minerals & Allied Limited

P.O Box 43031 -00200

Nairobi Kenya
Telephone: + 254 722 956 647 or
Email: peterformulation@gmail.com
Website: www.formulationgoods.kbo.co.ke

Hydroponics narrative
Animal minerals and allied, based in Kenya specializes in marketing commercial hydroponics products
for feeding all livestock and growing food crops.

MISSION
It is our mission to take hydroponics, as a technology, to every Kenyan household by reducing the
barriers to entry for all. It is our dream to see every home and land owner adopt this technique in Kenya
in the next fifteen years.

Introduce simple and affordable hydroponic farming solutions to every Kenyan household to help them
increase food production and incomes.

VISION

Our vision is to see Kenya as a power in the field of horticulture. To wipe the woes of every farmer in
Kenya in the next twenty years by providing cutting edge technology. We want every Kenyan farmer to
say it with pride, I am proud to be a farmer.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED

1) Training in simplified and commercial hydroponics.

2) Consultancy services and installation of hydroponics fodder and food crop systems.

3) Supply of our patented hydroponics nutrients,

4) Supply of patented photo chemically treated trays for growing fodder.

5) Supply of both variety barley seed for hydroponics fodder.

We have a fully operational hydroponics demonstration/training farm facility situated at Zambezi,

Kiambu County Kenya producing nutritious hydroponics fodder for cattle, pigs, fish and poultry at the
farm and in the locality. We also produce hydroponics vegetables including tomatoes for the local
market.
Fodder production

A recently introduced fodder growing technology is fast rising in Kenya, offering farmers a year round
supply of nutritious green fodder, grown for just seven days and producing up to 30 kilograms of fodder.
This quantity is adequate to feed 1 mature dairy cow producing over 25 liters of milk per day.

Hydroponic fodder at 7 days stage.

Dubbed hydroponics technology for its ability to grow fodder and other crops without the soil, the
project has been hailed as a revolutionary way of farming, coming at a time when land parcels are
progressively becoming smaller, thanks to population pressure and real estate pressure. There is also
the ever rising cost of commercial feeds driven by pressure from global commodity prices of the primary
feed stocks which is preventing many farmers from engaging in profitable and large scale animal
production ventures.

Though having been in global existence for over 50 years, the technology started to gather pace in
Kenya over the last two years. Very few smallholder farmers have little or any useful knowledge or
practiced hydroponics. The country is just warming up to the technology with majority of over 2
million livestock farmers yet to try it. This technology entails the germination of seeds in nutrient rich
solutions instead of soil to produce a grass, shoot and root combination that is very high in nutrition,
says Peter Chege the CEO Minerals and Allied.
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According to Chege, this method of barley fodder production requires a far less space and the pasture
produced has superior nutritive value compared to conventional grown fodder or even pasture in the
Kenyan highlands. In fact, the nutritional value of barley fodder is higher than that of ordinary grass or
Lucerne.

Figure 1: Cows being fed on Hydroponics barley fodder

Barley fodder has over 24 percent protein content, a high level of fermentable sugars, vitamins and it is
very rich in beta carotene and micronutrients mineral elements and there are no restriction towards the
amount you can feed your animal on, the CEO adds.

To produce this fodder, a farmer needs hydroponics system which is temperature and humidity
controlled and chemically treated trays to prevent fungus growth and infestation. Barley seed is the best
for use as a fodder due to its very high fermentable sugar and protein content. A variety of other seeds
can be used but barley is most nutritious and economical. Germinating barleys seed using hydroponic
nutrients to increases the available protein in the fodder from 11% to 25% protein at 7th day
germination stage. If one does not use correct nutrients, there will be no difference in terms of
nutritional value of barley grain and fodder.

The germinated barley seeds have all the nutrients required for farm animals and birds and its free from
diseases and other antigens which may induce diseases in the animals. Barley is the grain of choice due
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to its superior performance and high nutritional value. The grains develop roots, green shoots and forms
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a dense mat. If one goes further and injects carbon dioxide into the growing system, one can cut the
fodder growing time to four days and increase production by up to 25 percent, Chege says.

A shed with the following dimensions (7 Meters by 5 Meters squared ) can hold over 270 trays and
produce an average of over 600 kg of fodder every day using only 20 to 30 liters of water per day. This
amount of fodder can be used;

to supplement 17 dairy cows per day

to supplement 152 heads of goats or sheep per day
to feed fully 172 pigs per day
To feed over 5000 birds per day.

This hydroponic fodder is more economical compared to the commercial feeds and its nutritional value
is higher. For instance, 1 kilogram of dairy meal is equivalent to 2 kilograms of the barley fodder. The
cost of dairy meal is Kshs 35.00/- while it costs Kshs 7.00/- to produce 1 kilogram of barley fodder using
the hydroponic technology, adds Chege.

Figure 2:Hydroponics fodder production system

Its ability to save water even though the crops or fodder is grown in water is its biggest advantage. For
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instance, I require about five liters of water daily to produce enough fodder for my ten pigs and over 400
birds, says Mrs. Jane Mwangi, a farmer at Muigai estate in Kitengela. I used to have difficulties buying
commercial feeds to feed my animals and birds but since I adapted the hydroponic technology, I spend
much less on such feeds and I have been able to increase the number of my pigs and birds. Also, due to
low cost of production, I am able to save, educate my children and start a development project on my
plot as you can see, says Mrs. Mwangi.

Figure 3: A newly completed hydroponics fodder production unit

A just completed hydroponics unit in a dry area in eastern Kenya

According to Chege, this technology offers a lasting solution to the frequent droughts experienced in the
country and obviates the need for expensive irrigation systems. Lack of information at the grass root
level about the said technology is the only missing link. Also, due to the high level of unemployment, our
youth can engage in this practice as a source of income by producing the fodder and selling it to
livestock farmers, Chege adds.

The hydroponic technology saves farmers the agony of expensive fodder storage facilities and
guarantees a constant supply of high quality fodder. Unlike hay and silage which loses their nutritive
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value over time, the quality of hydroponic fodder is always guaranteed since its fed to farm animals or
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birds while still fresh. Therefore, farmers know exactly the amount to feed their stock and the yield to
expect.

According to Chege, there are no antibiotics, artificial hormones, pesticides or herbicides in the
hydroponics fodder feed. However, what perhaps may be interesting to the farmers is its cheap capital
investment and the impressive investment returns. According to estimates, an investment worth of
Kshs 7,000.oo/- can produce a tonne of fodder which is four to six times cheaper compared to using
grains to feed animals over a 3-month period.

In conventional pasture or fodder growing, a farmer incurs costs towards buying insecticides, fertilizers
and paying laborers to cultivate and harvest the grass. The importance of good quality feed is reinforced
by the fact that between 60 percent and 75 percent livestock ailments result from their feed. A kilo of
green feed under hydroponics is nutritionally equivalent to 3kgs of Lucerne, the commonly used grass
among Kenyan farmers.

According to Chege, hydroponic fodder can be fed to all farm animals and birds. It can feed both
indigenous and exotic birds after only four days after germination. It can be fed to pigs 6 days after
germination and to all herbivores 7 days after germination. One can also cut the shoots after the eighth
day and blend them to make barley juice drink for human consumption, Chege adds.

Minerals and Allied is working with movements both in the rural and urban Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
and Rwanda. The organization helps in building simple, affordable and sustainable hydroponic systems
in all areas irrespective of the local climate conditions. The company has achieved this because it has
come up with innovative way of treating trays (patented) so that fodder can be grown in high
temperature areas without incidents of fungus. The ideal temperature for growing the fodder is 21 C
but if one uses our trays, One can grow barley at up to 28C therefore making the use of electricity to
cool the facility unnecessary and therefore reducing the operational costs.

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Vegetables production
This is a Small Scale Tomato Production Unit

Figure 4: 3-weeks old hydroponics tomatoes in our farm at Sigona, Kikuyu District

Minerals & Allied Limited is company that provides vegetable crops production solution called
hydroponics. Hydroponics is the growing of plants, in water without soil. Utilizing this technology, the
roots absorb a balanced nutrient solution dissolved in water that meets all the plants developmental
requirements.

Plants grown hydroponically are generally healthier than their soil grown counterparts. They receive
nearly balanced diet, and does not come into contact with soil borne pests and diseases. Super efficient
hydroponics units like those we install, conserve water and nutrients by preventing evaporation and
runoff.

In arid regions where water is scarce, can grow vegetable using hydroponics. Since hydroponics systems
deliver water and nutrients directly to the plants, crops can be grown together closer without starving
each other, and healthier plants contribute to higher yields.

By growing crops in clean environment, under ideal conditions, hydroponics saves the cost of soil
preparation, insecticides, fungicides and losses due to drought and ground flooding
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Plants grown hydroponically are healthier they receive a well-balanced diet. They are more vigorous
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because little energy is diverted into searching for the water and nutrients.
A Greenhouse Tomato Hydroponics Productions System

Figure 5: A Similar (but slightly modified for passion fruit) hydroponics system will be deployed for Passion fruit farming

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Figure 6: Close up of a healthy tomato plant at fruiting stage (6 weeks only) as opposed to conventional farming systems
(8weeks)

Some advantages of Growing Vegetables hydroponically:

1. One is able to produce 3 4 times more vegetables in a shorter period than in conventional farming.

2. Plants have a balanced supply of air water and nutrients ensuring that they reach full genetic
potential in terms of productivity.

3. As one has control over the growing conditions, production can be timed more effectively to satisfy
market demand

4. The plants are more robust and therefore resistant to pests and diseases.

5. There are no troublesome weeds and stray seedlings create the need to use herbicides.

6. There is reduced turnaround time between planting as no soil preparation is required

7. Stable and significantly increased yields and shorter crop maturation cycle Can be utilized by families
with small or no yard space
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Comparison between hydroponics and conventional vegetable farming methods

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 Crop Yield using soil Yield using hydroponics

(No. of harvests a year using (tons per hectare at harvest time) (tons per hectare at harvest time)
hydroponics)

Lettuce (10) 52 300-330

Tomato (2) 80-100 350-400

Cucumber (3) 10-30 700-800

Carrot 15-20 55-75

Potato 20-40 120

Peppers(3) 20-30 85-105

Cabbage(3) 20-40 180-190

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Production System
Hydroponics can be classified as:
o Open system; or
o Closed system

Open system;
In the open system of hydroponics, the nutrient solution is mixed and applied to the plant as required,
instead of being re-cycled. Examples of some open system are:
o growing beds
o columns made out of tubular plastics or vertical and horizontal PVC pipes
o individual containers e.g. pots, and plastic sacks

Closed system;
In this system the nutrient solution is circulated continuously, providing the nutrients that the plant
requires. Examples of closed systems include:
o Floating roots
o Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
o PVC
o Plastic or polystyrene pots set up in columns

Locating a Hydroponics garden

Avoid heavily shaded, windy and extremely sunny places.

Keep the garden protected from domestic animals and pets.

The planting space must receive a minimum of six hours sunlight.

The location must be close to a source of potable water and where the nutrients are
kept

It must be kept far from contaminated water

It must be kept far from trees and other plants that are affected by similar pests and diseases
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Figure 7: A Simple Lettuce Production Unit that Produces a Hundred heads of Lettuce in 30 days

The size a Hydroponics garden

The area required to place a hydroponics garden is very small and therefore space requirement is not an
important factor in hydroponic gardening. A garden can be set up in spaces as small as 1m. Most family
hydroponic gardens are any size between 10 to 20m, but one can establish a bigger garden for
commercial operations.

Important Requirements for establishing a Hydroponics Vegetable production unit

1. Hydroponics Housing Unit

We provide the service of designing and building the Hydroponics vegetable production unit. It
is built according to the needs of the farmer, their financial ability and their farm location. We
provide the Shade netting for the structure. Locally available materials can be used in the place
of timber to reduce costs. Small and simple production units that can be built using timber, UV-
resistant plastic and polystyrene can even be placed on a balcony without any other additional
requirements.
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2. Hydroponics containers
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 Depending on the type of vegetables and the hydroponics vegetable growing method chosen,
one will need to buy the necessary containers, drips and trays as appropriate. The containers
hold the plant in place and contain/circulate the hydroponic nutrients. We provide a complete
solution to meet your specific growing needs.

3. Seed
The farmer makes the choice about which vegetable seed variety to produce.

4. Hydroponics nutrients
These are specially formulated liquid mineral nutrients required for the growth of the vegetable
plant. Each vegetable requires a specific hydroponics nutrient formulation. We also supply the
Hydroponics nutrients required for growing every type of vegetable.

5. Water
One needs to have a reliable source of clean (potable) water for growing vegetables
hydroponically.

6. Introduction to Hydroponics production

We provide introductory training and a live demonstration at our farm in Kikuyu where you can
see various vegetables growing. We charge a minimal fee of Kshs 1000/- for every participant in
the training.

For more information about hydroponic vegetable production, you can visit Us:

Location of Demonstration Farm;

Physical Location: Gwa Clement, Off Zambezi- Nderi Road along the Nairobi Nakuru Highway

Or get in touch with us through the following contacts:

Animal Minerals & Allied Limited

P.O Box 43031 00200

Nairobi Kenya

Telephone: +254 722 956 647

Email: peterformulation@gmail.com

Website http://www.formulationgoods.kbo.co.ke/
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