hydroponic fodder production experience among small holder's dairy farmers in Awach sub county Gulu district

Abstract

The study on hydroponic fodder production, experience among small holder’s dairy farmers was conducted in Awach sub-county, Gulu district in November 2021 using cross sectional survey and sample of 157 small holders dairy farmers where selected as respondent within four parishes of, (Tekulu, Patek, Lela obaro and Opuk ominye), data was collected by researcher himself using questionnaires . Krejcie and Morgan table were used to determine sample size. Overall the study aimed at specifically determining the knowledge, experience, opinions and willingness to adopt hydroponic fodder production technology among small holder’s dairy farmers in the sub county. The result indicated that majority of respondent (87.3%) have not heard about hydroponic with only (3.8%) adoption rates. Most of the respondent (83.3%) who are growing hydroponic are using maize as their planting materials with most hydroponic fodder being used to feed milking cows. Most of the respondent (66.7) interviewed stated increased milk production as the most benefit of using hydroponic. Majority of respondent (54.1%) do not have access to extension services mean while majority (63.1%) of those having access got it through private workers. Majority of respondents interviewed had access to credit facilities with most of them (63.7%) getting credits from SACCO .Majority (96.2%) of respondent interviewed lack access to proper market with most of them (56%) selling milk to middle men .Most of the respondents (62%) walk two to three kilometres to the market with majority (69.4%) rating the market as being average. The study recommend mobilisation of local farmers to create awareness of the new technology to encourage farmers to adopt hydroponic fodder production technology. This can be done through seminars and mass media like radios to train farmers since hydroponic production requires skills and knowledge, this should be done to both government extension officials and dairy farmers.