29/10/2026
Hydroponic Fodder Gives a New Boost to Poultry Farming in drought times
Meet Anita Padmakar Ahire from Bawchi village, Latur district, Maharashtra, whose six-year journey in poultry farming has taken a promising turn with the adoption of hydroponic fodder.
Earlier, Anita struggled with the rising cost of poultry feed, spending approximately ₹4,200 every two days. Despite the high expenditure, bird growth remained unsatisfactory, and the selling price was around ₹130 per bird. These challenges eventually led her to reduce her flock by 500 birds.
A Sustainable Solution Through Hydroponic Fodder
After learning about hydroponic fodder through online videos, Anita approached Sakhi Unique Resource Enterprise (SURE) for guidance. With financial support through System Plus, a 48-tray hydroponic unit worth ₹38,000 was made available to her for just ₹24,000.
Within eight days, fodder production had begun! Today, approximately 750 grams of maize produces 6–7 kg of fresh green fodder. Five trays are harvested daily and provided to the birds as a nutritious morning feed.
Visible Improvements in Poultry Farming
Following the introduction of hydroponic fodder, the following improvements have been observed:
✅ Shinier feathers and healthier-looking birds
✅ Improved growth and weight gain
✅ Increase in the selling price from approximately ₹130 to ₹200 per bird
✅ Reduced dependence on expensive commercial feed through the inclusion of fresh green fodder
A Water-Efficient Solution for Drought-Prone Regions
In water-stressed regions like Latur, hydroponic fodder offers an opportunity to produce fresh green feed using relatively little water. Anita now shares her experience with fellow farmers, encouraging them to explore practical and sustainable farming innovations.
Anita’s initiative also attracted appreciation from senior district-level officials. At SURE, efforts are being made to connect women entrepreneurs with practical innovations that can strengthen livelihoods and build climate-resilient rural communities.
