The Agrotechnology discipline research team at Khulna University has successfully cultivated grass without soil, addressing the food needs of domesticated animals.
Known as "hydroponic fodder," this grass is more nutritious than regular varieties, offering a promising solution for animal feed shortages.
A workshop on this breakthrough was held at the university’s Acharya Prafulla Chandra Roy Central Laboratory at 2:30pm on Thursday.
Senior Professor Dr Md Rezaul Karim, who is in charge of emergency administrative and financial activities at the university, was the chief guest at the event.
In his address, Dr Karim noted that recent floods had caused severe food shortages for livestock, leading to many animal deaths.
He expressed hope that Khulna University's hydroponically grown grass could help address similar crises in the future.
“Our country produces a limited amount of animal feed, while farmers abroad grow their own fodder, ensuring their livestock receive nutritious food. This helps keep animals healthy and increases milk production,” Dr Karim said.
“Hydroponic fodder could be a valuable solution for our farmers, particularly those without land or in urban areas.”
He also highlighted the growing popularity of hydroponic farming globally, particularly in China, and suggested that the method be studied further for its effectiveness in the saline coastal regions of Khulna.
The project, titled “Determination of Comparative Biomass Yield, Nutritional Quality, and Production Cost of Five Different Hydroponic Fodder”, was funded by Khulna University’s Research and Innovation Centre.
The research focused on how farmers in southwestern Bangladesh could use hydroponic technology to produce fodder from maize, wheat, barley, sorghum grass, and safflower seeds.
The researchers highlighted the benefits of hydroponic fodder over traditional grass, noting its higher levels of vitamins and minerals, as well as its digestibility and palatability for animals.
Hydroponic fodder, which is produced within 7-11 days, contains lower levels of fibre and lignin, resulting in higher energy content.
The germination process also increases enzyme activity, which synthesizes vitamins like B, C, and A, making these nutrients more bioavailable for livestock.
Their comparative analysis found that hydroponic fodder is particularly cost-effective when using wheat seeds, though barley showed the best yield.
The study aims to play a vital role in livestock development in Bangladesh, especially in challenging environments.
Teachers, students, and marginal farmers participated in the workshop, showing strong interest in the potential of this innovative farming technique.
