The government has earmarked approximately Rwf100 million to support youth-led enterprises in producing hydroponic livestock fodder, as Rwanda seeks to address feed shortages that undermine milk production, particularly during dry seasons.

The initiative, spearheaded by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB), will initially support 10 hydroponic fodder production sites in Gatsibo and Rwamagana districts, where youth cooperatives and companies will produce and sell nutritious livestock feed to dairy farmers.

The project is part of broader efforts to improve year-round access to animal feed and increase Rwanda’s daily milk production from the current three million litres to 10 million litres by 2029.

Hydroponic fodder is fresh livestock feed grown from grains such as maize and wheat using water instead of soil. The technology allows farmers to produce nutritious feed in approximately seven days, using significantly less land and water than conventional fodder cultivation.

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It is increasingly being promoted as a solution to seasonal feed shortages, particularly in areas where drought, limited grazing land and water scarcity affect livestock productivity.

Rwf100m funding for youth enterprises

Gasana Ngabo Methode, the Rwanda Dairy Development Project (RDDP) Manager at RAB, said approximately Rwf100 million has been allocated to support youth-led hydroponic fodder production in Gatsibo and Rwamagana before the initiative is expanded to other districts.

"We will initially support 10 sites located at milk collection centres as part of a pilot project. The initiative will be scaled up to the farm level. The support will target youth groups, including cooperatives and companies, rather than individual youth,” he said.

The project will establish demonstration units at milk collection centres, where youth enterprises will produce, harvest and sell hydroponic fodder to livestock farmers.

By establishing production facilities closer to dairy farmers, the initiative seeks to improve the availability of nutritious feed, particularly during dry seasons when conventional pasture becomes scarce.

Methode said hydroponic fodder offers an alternative for farmers struggling with limited land and access to quality livestock feed.

"It therefore provides a good option for producing nutritious livestock feed while addressing land constraints and improving access to quality fodder,” he said.

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Interested youth-owned companies and cooperatives have until September 25 to submit their applications for funding.

Applicants must possess registration documents issued by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) or the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA).

Cooperatives still obtaining legal status may submit documents issued by their respective districts or sectors.

Applicants must be aged between 16 and 30 and demonstrate relevant education or training in livestock fodder production, processing or related activities.

Tackling seasonal feed shortages

The initiative comes as livestock farmers continue to face difficulties obtaining sufficient fodder during dry seasons, affecting milk production and the availability of dairy products.

Unlike conventional fodder cultivation, which depends heavily on rainfall and access to agricultural land, hydroponic systems can produce fresh feed throughout the year in small, controlled spaces.

The process involves soaking cereal grains in water, allowing them to germinate and transferring them to growing trays, where they develop into fresh fodder within approximately seven days.

The entire plant, including the roots, leaves and sprouted grains, can be fed to livestock.

According to farmers using the technology, a hydroponic facility covering just 12 square metres can produce enough fodder to supplement the diets of 10 cows while using approximately 25 to 30 litres of harvested rainwater daily for spraying.

Jackson Karara, director of Uruhimbi Kageyo Cooperative in Gicumbi District, said his cooperative has already established hydroponic fodder production systems at 14 sites across nine districts.

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"We do installation of hydroponic fodder systems and provide training to other youth,” he said, adding that young people are increasingly being encouraged to invest in the technology.

Hydroponic fodder facilities have already been established in Ngoma, Rwamagana, Gicumbi, Nyabihu, Rubavu, Kayonza and Gatsibo districts.

Karara said government incentives, including VAT exemptions on imported hydroponic kits, have helped reduce installation costs and encouraged wider adoption of the technology.

The government is also seeking to expand land under conventional fodder cultivation from 32,000 to 87,000 hectares as part of efforts to meet 85 per cent of livestock fodder demand.

Hydroponic production is expected to complement these efforts by providing an alternative source of feed, particularly when pasture is scarce.

Farmers report increased milk production

For farmers already using hydroponic fodder, the technology is helping improve livestock productivity.

Julienne Mushimiyimana, a farmer from Kageyo Sector in Gicumbi District, said milk production from her cows increased from seven litres to more than 10 litres per cow daily after she introduced hydroponic fodder.

The ability to produce fresh feed throughout the year could help farmers maintain milk production during dry periods, when pasture shortages often force them to rely on purchased feed or reduce the quantities fed to their animals.

A two-year pilot project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Rwanda’s Eastern Province also found that hydroponic fodder production could improve milk yields while reducing farmers’ vulnerability to drought and livestock feed shortages.

The pilot involved 48 households, including 18 directly supported by UNDP and 30 farmers who independently adopted the technology.

According to the study, participating farmers recorded an average 42 per cent increase in daily milk production, alongside improvements in milk quality and feed availability.

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The study found that hydroponic fodder uses up to 90 per cent less water than conventional production and requires considerably less land, making it particularly suitable for areas affected by recurring dry spells.

It also reported hydroponic fodder production costs of approximately Rwf120 per kilogramme, compared with about Rwf400 per kilogramme for alternatives such as maize bran.

At the Rwimbogo Milk Collection Centre, a cooperative-operated hydroponic unit demonstrated the technology's commercial potential.

Under favourable conditions, the unit achieved a return on investment exceeding 200 per cent, recovering its initial investment in less than five months.

Challenges to wider adoption

Despite its potential, the technology faces several barriers, particularly high initial investment costs, seed prices and gaps in technical skills.

The UNDP-funded study found that profitability is highly sensitive to the cost and availability of seeds, making reliable access to affordable inputs essential for sustainable production.

It recommended bulk seed procurement and diversification beyond maize to include barley and sorghum, alongside improved access to financing, water and practical training.

The study also called for stronger support for youth- and women-led enterprises and better market linkages to encourage wider adoption.

The government's new funding initiative seeks to address some of these challenges by supporting youth enterprises to establish production facilities and supply fodder directly to livestock farmers.

For dairy farmers, expanding access to locally produced hydroponic fodder could help reduce dependence on seasonal pasture and maintain milk production during dry periods, while creating new business opportunities for young people.