Sharanabasappa Patil, a farmer from Halsultanpur village in Kalaburagi district, was the cynosure of all eyes at three-day Krishi Mela 2017 organised at the Agricultural Research Station here on Saturday. He was demonstrating a solar hydroponics machine used to produce grass and root combination fodder that is very lush and high in nutrients.
By using hydroponics technology, even a landless farmer can take up dairy farming and produce fodder for cattle using the hydroponic planting system at his house, Mr. Patil said and added that inclusion of free green fodder in the daily ration of dairy animals decreases the amount of concentrate feeding and increase profit.
Fodder production round the year is essential for economical and sustainable dairy farming.
Exhibiting the specially designed eight-tray hydroponic fodder manufacturer, he explained that the technology requires tray with inbuilt taper to ensure water flow and sufficient holes for draining water properly.
The structure is built with heavy duty PVC pipe and in-built water pump is controlled with an automatic timer, which makes the pump spray water in all trays through micro sprinklers connected with lateral pipes at timely intervals.
Using this technology, healthy grass fodder can be produced within 10-12 days without soil and chemicals, besides ensuring the minimum usage of water. This simple technology requires only one person to handle it, said the farmer.
“I have designed a 72-tray hydroponic fodder producing technology at a cost of ₹ 35,000; however, the cost would differ depending upon size,” he added.
The farmer has also developed a number of smaller farm equipment and machines that have come in handy for farmers in their day-to-day agricultural activities.
A few among them are tap irrigation, low-cost solar fencing, millet extracting machine and low-cost motor time.
According to farmers, the Krishi Mela this year witnessed poor footfall as compared to the last year.
The Krishi Mela had stalls exhibiting drip irrigation, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, food processing, soil quality, agri finance and insurance, marketing, agricultural machinery and equipment.
