On the Frontier of Sustainable Agriculture
This is a published version of our On the Frontier (OtF) newsletter series. Every month we take one global critical challenge and explore what’s at the cutting edge of it, together. Click here to join the FT Network and receive our newsletter directly.
Barkhane and His Cows: A Farmer’s Journey to Stability
In rural, northern Nigeria, a herder named Barkhane faced a familiar challenge: as the climate changed, his once reliable grazing grounds for cows were dwindling. The rains that sustained the local grasslands came less often, and he felt the tension between himself and local farmers rising as they competed for the fertile land remaining. It was getting harder to maintain his herd's health.
When the village elder announced plans for a hydroponic fodder system to be built, Barkhane was skeptical—how could something grown in just water, without soil, be enough for his animals? After attending community training, he agreed to help set up a small system, just big enough to feed the cattle owned by local herders. It took time to become comfortable with the collaborative approach, but they all shared a fear of accessing fodder for their cows the drying lands. Their herds could no longer rely on the ground alone, and neither could they.
Within days, the green shoots of sorghum grass began to sprout and his cows thrived on the fodder. They were fatter, stronger beasts producing more milk than ever before. There was surplus milk to sell, and less reliance on expensive feed. Hydroponics became a lifeline for Barkhane and his community, allowing them to remain self-reliant despite the erratic climate.
Barkhane is fictional, but his story isn't
Cow herders across Nigeria are feeling the impacts of conflict and climate change but we know that scarcity can breed innovation. Just like Barkhane, the need for herders to protect their livelihoods is resulting in a willingness to break from tradition, and hydroponics could be the new pathway they need.
Hydroponically grown grass reaches maturity in about 7 days and produces a higher yield than grass grown in soil, year round, while using 80% less water. While it requires minimal manpower, it can be expensive to set up, maintain and monitor, so a Frontier Tech pilot set out to develop a simplified hydroponic fodder system and associated business model that could be utilised in rural Nigeria to produce cattle fodder.
They successfully built a hydroponics system using affordable, local materials in Gwagwalada Federal Capital Territory, and the data collected from cows consuming the fodder was astonishing.
👀 Explore their results in the infographic below.
The benefits show huge potential from multiple perspectives, including the potential for climate financing. After the world's first carbon credit for reduced cow methane emissions was achieved in Scotland, communal hydroponics systems could pave the way for an equivalent for African herders (especially considering a separate study conducted during the pilot which reported a 50% reduction of methane emissions when cows consumed the fodder).
Furthermore, the need for the peace-building component of the project became more apparent as rising desertification continues to spark conflict between farmers and herders competing for what remains.
The pilot successfully demonstrated that hydroponic fodder systems can be constructed using locally sourced materials and labor, and upheld through community management. The question remains as to how much external support is needed in order to set systems up and be maintained over time.
📚 Click to read the pilot report here.
The evidence is clear. Can you help put it into action?
With clear evidence of success, financial modelling and a set up guide ready to use, it's time to harvest the potential for simplified hydroponics systems in climate-affected regions across Africa (pun intended).
Business model testing concluded that a multi-stakeholder approach would be ideal to support the cost of the system in Nigeria, where economic conditions—such as fluctuating seed prices and low milk prices—pose challenges to creating a viable business model. But there's appetite to test simpler systems in regions with more favourable market conditions, such as in Ghana. The beef production industry is another clear avenue to explore, where the established commercial structures may support a quick route to implementation.
With the promise of climate resilience, peace-building and an economic boost for herding communities, the benefits of hydroponics systems are crying out to be taken advantage of.
🎬 Click here to get in touch with FCDO Pioneer Ogechukwu Omeribe to continue this conversation.
““Findings from the pilot were amazing – more than a 100% increase in quality milk production, the nutritive value of the hydroponically grown fodders, and reduction in greenhouse emissions. We hope to see FCDO and donors explore further work, including supporting the development of an effective private sector driven business model that is sustainable.””
Still curious? Here's three more for you
Read the hydroponics setup guide to explore the steps needed to implement a similar system.
Help shape an FCDO fund for testing agri-tech solutions, by applying to our open tender.
Enjoyed our humanitarian supply chains newsletter? Take 15 minutes to watch our latest short film.
Thanks for exploring with us. We’ll be back in about 4 weeks to explore what's On the Frontier of Generative AI 🤖
Sign up to the Frontier Tech Network to recieve it directly!
