This is a young man trying the ‘unwalked path’ in the filed of forage production. His courage and creativity is examplary. However, universities and research institutions in the region should help in clarifying the economics of the new system with regard to local context. Moreover, the system can further be developed and refined to make it flexibly adaptive to current realities in the region known for its emaciated and low productivity livestock.
There is a broad consensus that most smallholder agricultural systems in Africa are far from being 21st century agriculture. Measured by multiple criteria including the use of technologies, application of inputs, and organizational and institutional set ups required for modern production, processing and marketing of agricultural produces, smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia is not exceptional. Focusing on the educated young ergeneration farming community has the potential to modernize traditional farming.
Behaylu Abraha is a young university graduate who owns and manages ‘YB Plant Micro Propagation PLC’ – a small family business engaged in hydroponic technologies in Mekelle. After working for a private tissue culture company for seven years, he decided to set up a private business in hydroponics (fodder, mushrooms, vegetables, and certified pre-basic and basic potato seeds) in a 420 m2 rented residential house. The actual effective area used for hydroponic fodder production is 160 m2.
Hydroponic fodder production involves…
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