hydroponics
HYDROPONICS November 2016
Animal Mineral and Allied Limited Hydroponics Newsletter
Welcome to Mineral & Allied We are excited to announce the launch of our first trimestral newsletter! Since our company, Animal Mineral and Allied Limited first started selling hydroponic systems back in 2013, much has happened and we are happy to share our successes with you. Our hydroponic team would like to welcome you to the sustainable farming family of Hydroponics Kenya! Our company, Animal Mineral and Allied Limited is the pioneer initiator of hydroponic farming technology in East and Central Africa. We specialize in the manufacturing, installation and marketing of customized hydroponic fodder and vegetable systems to help small and medium holder farmers have access to a high quality, affordable and sustainable way of farming.
Hydroponic farming, or growing plants without soil in nutrient water solutions has many benefits. This technology enables farmers to achieve predictable yields for vegetables and produce their own animal feed. With hydroponics the farmer is unaffected by seasons, adverse weather conditions or climate change, which historically has given rise to severe food insecurity in Africa. If you’re a farmer and interested in affordable & sustainable agriculture than hydroponics is the solution for you!
“With hydroponic farming you can grow fodder in just 7 days, using only 1/10 of water and 1/3 of the space normally used in conventional agriculture.” - Peter Chege, CEO , Mineral & Allied Hydroponics
In This Issue
Welcome to Hydroponics
The Problem of African Farmers
The Hydroponic Solution
Hydroponic Fodder
Hydroponic Vegetables
Products & Services
Contact
Hydroponic barley fodder grows in just 7 days!
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
Our CEO
Peter Chege, inspecting barley seedling in a hydroponic fodder system.
The problem of African farmers
Peter Chege, the founder and CEO of Mineral and Allied established the company in 2002 where he first focused on supplying farmers with nutrition supplements to enhance animals output. Throughout the years he learned that many farmers incurred high costs for animal fodder, and that the quality of animal fodder was often not satisfactory. To address this problem, Peter started in 2013 producing hydroponic systems that enable farmers to grow quality animal feed at low cost, while also providing them with the opportunity of growing all sorts of vegetables apart from tubers. Using his analytical chemistry skills, Peter was able to produce special nutrient formulations to suits any crop.
Currently most farmers in Africa use soil to grow crops yet due to climate change, increasing population and decreasing agricultural land to farm on, this method is becoming unsustainable and expensive. Additionally, farmers in East Africa lack access to information and products to help them maintain sustainable, costs effective and environmentally conscious farming methods. Using soil is very inefficient as plants waste a lot of energy rooting out nutrients from the soil, resulting in an extensive amount of time to mature.
The hydroponic solution
Support frame for growing fodder
With out hydroponic systems, soil is not required for the growth of fodder and vegetables crops, thus allowing them to be resilient to climate change and grow faster. Hydroponic methods are more efficient and allow for higher amounts of production and than traditional field farming. Furthermore, hydroponic fodder is highly nutritious and can completely replace conventional grains in feeding livestock. We have created unique nutrient formulations specific for particular crops. These nutrient solutions are at the heart of hydroponic farming. By using hydroponic technology, one can grow fodder in just 7 days as opposed to 12 weeks and vegetables 30% faster than soil grown counterparts. The resulting food product has superior nutritional quality, which in turn improves the health and wellbeing of your animal.
Germination chamber
Principle behind hydroponics The concept behind hydroponics fodder is unlocking nutrients from 30% digestibility to up to 85%. This is due to the activity of enzymes produced by the seed after soaking. These enzymes are able to more efficiently convert carbohydrates to sugars, proteins to amino acids, solid fat to lipids from the seed. Moreover the enzymes produces highly efficient hormones, growth promoters, vitamins and minerals. The role of hydroponic nutrients is to increase protein content in the crop from 9% to 25%. This is brought by the nitrogen component of the solution which is converted to protein by the activity of enzymes. “Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
Barley fodder after 7 days
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
What is hydroponic farming ? “Hydroponic farming entails growing crops using mineral nutrient solutions in water thus reducing the need for soil. Our modern and innovative farming technology is resilient to climate change, provides superior nutritional value and faster growth at limited cost of input”.
Studies showed that 1kg of green feed is nutritionally equivalent to 3 kg of Lucerne. Moreover, the protein content of oats increases from 8% as a grain to 21% as eight-dayold green feed. The germination of barley/oats seeds activates certain enzymes that in turn change the starch, protein and fats in the grain into simpler forms in the plant. Starch is changed into soluble sugars, which are generally better utilized in the rumen. The digestible fiber content of the green feed rises from 4.2% to 9%.
Hydroponic vegetable systems at our farm in Zambezi, Kikuyu
What is a hydroponic fodder system ? Hydroponic fodder system is a growing room that is specifically developed to sprout grains or legume seeds that are very nutritious yet cost effective feed. A selection of seeds are put into photo chemically treated trays without soil and sprayed with hydroHydroponic kale
ponics nutrients at predetermined intervals at set temperature and humidity inside the hydroponics system to ensure higher growth and best nutritional value possible. After 7 days the fodder is removed from the tray fed to the animal and newly seeded trays are pushed to the chamber. The animal eats everything i.e. roots, leaves and nuts so there is no waste.
Hydroponic vegetables systems With hydroponic vegetables systems, one is able to produce 3 to 4 times more vegetables in a shorter period than in conventional farming . Additionally, the plants have a balanced supply of air water and nutrients, ensuring that they reach full genetic potential in terms of productivity. As one has control over the growing conditions, production can be timed more effectively to satisfy market demand. Since the plants are more robust, they are therefore more resistant to pests and diseases. Furthermore, there are no troublesome weeds and stray seedlings, thus there is no create need to use herbicides. There is reduced turnaround time between planting as no soil preparation is required. Stable and significantly increased yields and shorter crop maturation cycle can be utilized by families with small or no yard space. Lettuce systems
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
Our products and services We have a fully operational hydroponics demonstration farm facility situated at Zambezi, Kiambu County, Kenya producing nutritious hydroponics fodder for cattle, pigs, fish and poultry at the farm and in the locality. We also produce hydroponics vegetables including tomatoes for the local market. Our main products include: i) hydroponic fodder systems comprising of specially treated trays, support frame, hydro cloth, hydro neth, germination chamber and water unit.
Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services and products Animal Mineral & Allied Ltd Zambezi, Kikuyu, Kiambu County, Nairobi P.O.B. 30312 - 00200
ii) vegetables systems comprising of: water unit, support frame, plastic containers and support medium (pumice).
+254 (0) 722 956647; +257 (0) 703 286763
iii) aquaponic systems comprising off water unit, support frame and fish tank
[email protected]
Iv) special nutrient formulations for all food crops.
[email protected]
v) seedlings and seeds, for growing, barley, wheat, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, tomato, spinach, kale, cauliflower, capsicum and strawberry.
Visit us on the web at: www.hydroponicskenya.com
At our farm you also can benefit from training in simplified and commercial hydroponics, consultancy services and installation of hydroponic fodder and vegetables systems. We look forward to your contact and invite any farmer to come and see our hydroponic systems and discuss how we can help your farming!
Follow us on Facebook: Hydroponics Kenya
“Cost –effective, high quality and sustainable farming without soil”
Barley seeds
Water unit for strawberry
Hydroponic nutrients
Photo-chemically treated trays
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
Animal Mineral and Allied Limited Hydroponics Newsletter
Welcome to Mineral & Allied We are excited to announce the launch of our first trimestral newsletter! Since our company, Animal Mineral and Allied Limited first started selling hydroponic systems back in 2013, much has happened and we are happy to share our successes with you. Our hydroponic team would like to welcome you to the sustainable farming family of Hydroponics Kenya! Our company, Animal Mineral and Allied Limited is the pioneer initiator of hydroponic farming technology in East and Central Africa. We specialize in the manufacturing, installation and marketing of customized hydroponic fodder and vegetable systems to help small and medium holder farmers have access to a high quality, affordable and sustainable way of farming.
Hydroponic farming, or growing plants without soil in nutrient water solutions has many benefits. This technology enables farmers to achieve predictable yields for vegetables and produce their own animal feed. With hydroponics the farmer is unaffected by seasons, adverse weather conditions or climate change, which historically has given rise to severe food insecurity in Africa. If you’re a farmer and interested in affordable & sustainable agriculture than hydroponics is the solution for you!
“With hydroponic farming you can grow fodder in just 7 days, using only 1/10 of water and 1/3 of the space normally used in conventional agriculture.” - Peter Chege, CEO , Mineral & Allied Hydroponics
In This Issue
Welcome to Hydroponics
The Problem of African Farmers
The Hydroponic Solution
Hydroponic Fodder
Hydroponic Vegetables
Products & Services
Contact
Hydroponic barley fodder grows in just 7 days!
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
Our CEO
Peter Chege, inspecting barley seedling in a hydroponic fodder system.
The problem of African farmers
Peter Chege, the founder and CEO of Mineral and Allied established the company in 2002 where he first focused on supplying farmers with nutrition supplements to enhance animals output. Throughout the years he learned that many farmers incurred high costs for animal fodder, and that the quality of animal fodder was often not satisfactory. To address this problem, Peter started in 2013 producing hydroponic systems that enable farmers to grow quality animal feed at low cost, while also providing them with the opportunity of growing all sorts of vegetables apart from tubers. Using his analytical chemistry skills, Peter was able to produce special nutrient formulations to suits any crop.
Currently most farmers in Africa use soil to grow crops yet due to climate change, increasing population and decreasing agricultural land to farm on, this method is becoming unsustainable and expensive. Additionally, farmers in East Africa lack access to information and products to help them maintain sustainable, costs effective and environmentally conscious farming methods. Using soil is very inefficient as plants waste a lot of energy rooting out nutrients from the soil, resulting in an extensive amount of time to mature.
The hydroponic solution
Support frame for growing fodder
With out hydroponic systems, soil is not required for the growth of fodder and vegetables crops, thus allowing them to be resilient to climate change and grow faster. Hydroponic methods are more efficient and allow for higher amounts of production and than traditional field farming. Furthermore, hydroponic fodder is highly nutritious and can completely replace conventional grains in feeding livestock. We have created unique nutrient formulations specific for particular crops. These nutrient solutions are at the heart of hydroponic farming. By using hydroponic technology, one can grow fodder in just 7 days as opposed to 12 weeks and vegetables 30% faster than soil grown counterparts. The resulting food product has superior nutritional quality, which in turn improves the health and wellbeing of your animal.
Germination chamber
Principle behind hydroponics The concept behind hydroponics fodder is unlocking nutrients from 30% digestibility to up to 85%. This is due to the activity of enzymes produced by the seed after soaking. These enzymes are able to more efficiently convert carbohydrates to sugars, proteins to amino acids, solid fat to lipids from the seed. Moreover the enzymes produces highly efficient hormones, growth promoters, vitamins and minerals. The role of hydroponic nutrients is to increase protein content in the crop from 9% to 25%. This is brought by the nitrogen component of the solution which is converted to protein by the activity of enzymes. “Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
Barley fodder after 7 days
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
What is hydroponic farming ? “Hydroponic farming entails growing crops using mineral nutrient solutions in water thus reducing the need for soil. Our modern and innovative farming technology is resilient to climate change, provides superior nutritional value and faster growth at limited cost of input”.
Studies showed that 1kg of green feed is nutritionally equivalent to 3 kg of Lucerne. Moreover, the protein content of oats increases from 8% as a grain to 21% as eight-dayold green feed. The germination of barley/oats seeds activates certain enzymes that in turn change the starch, protein and fats in the grain into simpler forms in the plant. Starch is changed into soluble sugars, which are generally better utilized in the rumen. The digestible fiber content of the green feed rises from 4.2% to 9%.
Hydroponic vegetable systems at our farm in Zambezi, Kikuyu
What is a hydroponic fodder system ? Hydroponic fodder system is a growing room that is specifically developed to sprout grains or legume seeds that are very nutritious yet cost effective feed. A selection of seeds are put into photo chemically treated trays without soil and sprayed with hydroHydroponic kale
ponics nutrients at predetermined intervals at set temperature and humidity inside the hydroponics system to ensure higher growth and best nutritional value possible. After 7 days the fodder is removed from the tray fed to the animal and newly seeded trays are pushed to the chamber. The animal eats everything i.e. roots, leaves and nuts so there is no waste.
Hydroponic vegetables systems With hydroponic vegetables systems, one is able to produce 3 to 4 times more vegetables in a shorter period than in conventional farming . Additionally, the plants have a balanced supply of air water and nutrients, ensuring that they reach full genetic potential in terms of productivity. As one has control over the growing conditions, production can be timed more effectively to satisfy market demand. Since the plants are more robust, they are therefore more resistant to pests and diseases. Furthermore, there are no troublesome weeds and stray seedlings, thus there is no create need to use herbicides. There is reduced turnaround time between planting as no soil preparation is required. Stable and significantly increased yields and shorter crop maturation cycle can be utilized by families with small or no yard space. Lettuce systems
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
Our products and services We have a fully operational hydroponics demonstration farm facility situated at Zambezi, Kiambu County, Kenya producing nutritious hydroponics fodder for cattle, pigs, fish and poultry at the farm and in the locality. We also produce hydroponics vegetables including tomatoes for the local market. Our main products include: i) hydroponic fodder systems comprising of specially treated trays, support frame, hydro cloth, hydro neth, germination chamber and water unit.
Contact Us Give us a call for more information about our services and products Animal Mineral & Allied Ltd Zambezi, Kikuyu, Kiambu County, Nairobi P.O.B. 30312 - 00200
ii) vegetables systems comprising of: water unit, support frame, plastic containers and support medium (pumice).
+254 (0) 722 956647; +257 (0) 703 286763
iii) aquaponic systems comprising off water unit, support frame and fish tank
[email protected]
Iv) special nutrient formulations for all food crops.
[email protected]
v) seedlings and seeds, for growing, barley, wheat, peppers, cabbage, broccoli, tomato, spinach, kale, cauliflower, capsicum and strawberry.
Visit us on the web at: www.hydroponicskenya.com
At our farm you also can benefit from training in simplified and commercial hydroponics, consultancy services and installation of hydroponic fodder and vegetables systems. We look forward to your contact and invite any farmer to come and see our hydroponic systems and discuss how we can help your farming!
Follow us on Facebook: Hydroponics Kenya
“Cost –effective, high quality and sustainable farming without soil”
Barley seeds
Water unit for strawberry
Hydroponic nutrients
Photo-chemically treated trays
“Affordable and sustainable farming without soil”
www.hydroponicskenya.com
“Hydroponics, proud to feed Africa”
