Peter Chege is among the several hundred farmers in central Kenya who are now growing crops in water.

Chege’s farm in Limuru near Nairobi has become a training ground for curious farmers eager to adopt the technology. An analytical chemist, Chege has been teaching other farmers from around East Africa the intricacies of hydroponics. The venture has improved his financial status and is gaining him admiration from people across the region.

Though a fresh concept quietly spreading among Kenyan smallholder farmers, the technology is not exactly new. Hydroponic agriculture was invented about a hundred years ago in Australia and has since spread to countries all over the world. In hydroponic farming, crops are grown without soil using mineral nutrients solutions. When mineral nutrients dissolve in water, they become easily absorbable by plants through the roots. Those who practice this form of farming say that soil is simply a medium for holding nutrients and is therefore not an essential component in the growth of plants.

A local agricultural extension officer, John Ngamau, says the technology is fast gaining ground, especially in central Kenya. It’s a major boost to the agricultural sector and is helping to fight hunger and poverty in the area.

“In central Kenya, where a majority of farmers own less than an acre of land, the hydroponic system is renewing the hopes of many people who want to embark on farming but are prohibited by the size of their land,” he said.

Chege used to manufacture animal feed for sale, but getting the fodder for the raw material proved difficult.

“That’s when I thought of hydroponic farming, which I had only read about in books but had never seen being practiced. Using the technology to grow fodder for livestock has helped improve the productivity of my pigs,” he said.

Chege no longer manufactures animal feed, instead making a living encouraging farmers to produce enough fodder hydroponically, which ensures more nutrition for their livestock. He speaks highly of the technology.

“It is cheap to adopt, ensures high yields and fast growth of plants, and eliminates soil-borne diseases,” he said.

A farmer needs a shed made of a shade net to ensure temperatures are maintained at 17-24 degrees Centigrade. Aluminum and plastic trays are used for growing the fodder. They help keep temperatures down and are cheap, Chege said.

The hydroponic system is hygienically safe and can be used to grow commercial food crops, fodder for livestock as well as food crops for domestic use. Chege uses the hydroponic system to grow mainly tomatoes, strawberry and fodder. Other crops that can do well with hydroponic farming are broccoli, flowers and other horticultural produce.
Not all crops can be grown using this system, says Chege. Tubers or root crops can be difficult or impossible.