In the past 40 years, droughts have impacted more of the Kenyan population than any other natural disaster. Their intensity and occurrence have increased, and the developing world bears the brunt of the consequences including hunger, environmental damage, and economic and social instability. Agricultural activities such as hydroponics in particular, is a sector that supports 40% of the world’s population’s primary livelihoods, suffer from worsening droughts. In Kenya water scarcity and population growth dually affect food security to an increasing degree.
Fortunately, recent technological advancements have opened up limitless agricultural opportunities, allowing prospective farmers to achieve high productivity even in the absence or scarcity of soil. Hydroponic farming, in particular, represents a revolutionary and intriguing option for agriculturists looking to operate in less productive regions. Hydroponics is a soil-free system of plant cultivation that involves the use of water and, crops growing up to 25% faster than in traditional soil-based cultivation.
Hydroponics is a profitable, sustainable agricultural method and environmentally friendly technology for growing plants without soil. It is the fastest-growing agriculture sector, rapidly gaining momentum and popularity, and could dominate food production in the future. Hydroponic system cost estimatesVarious companies offer Hydroponics solutions in Kenya. These companies offer various services ranging from training farmers to installation of Hydroponics systems.
1. Hydroponics Africa.
Image _ courtesy. Hydroponic Africa fodder growing.
Hydroponics Africa is the pioneer of simplified hydroponic farming technology and the sole distributor of a superior subsurface plant-responsive drip in East and Central Africa Services offered by Hydroponics Africa.
Services offered by Hydroponic Africa.
- They also focused on supplying farmers with nutrition supplements to enhance animal output.
- Hydroponics Africa manufacture, install, and promote customized hydroponic fodder and vegetable systems.
- They support farmers in producing high-quality, affordable, and sustainable ways of farming.
- Hydroponics Africa sells customized hydroponic solutions to small and medium-scale farmers.
- They also supply hydroponic medium for growing crops. E.g. hydroponic Africa sells a multi-purpose coco peat growing medium made out of coconut husk.
Image _ courtesy cocopeat
- They also sell rockwool / hydro mats, and pumice. Hydroponic Africa sells these biodegradable materials to replace soil or other supporting material.
Credit _ courtesy and pumice medium.
- Hydroponic Africa also multi–purpose calcium nitrate, which is a fertilizer used in making hydroponic nutrient solutions.
Image_ courtesy. Calcium nitrate salt
- They also sell hanging gardens well treated to resist ultraviolet light and installed correctly; they can last for ten years.
Image _ courtesy. Hanging beds
Where to find Hydroponic Africa LTD.
Mobile or WhatsApp: +254722956647
Mobile or WhatsApp: +254703286763
Email: hello@hydroponicsafrica.org
ZAMBEZI OFF MUGUGA KARLO ROAD, Kenya.
2. Synnefa.
They are a team of passionate minds working together to create lasting solutions to challenges facing farmers.
Services offered.
Focused on supplying farmers with nutrition supplements to enhance animal output. The company offers smart and comprehensive hydroponic farming tools and builds modern farming solutions with a variety of products to help the modern farmer take the guesswork out of farming.
It is located along Ngong Road, Bishop Magua Centre, and the 4th floor.
Contact: 020 389 2455.
Email: info@synnefa.io
3. GREENLIFE VEGGIES.
Greenlife Veggies are hydroponic experts and hydroponic equipment suppliers in Kikuyu, Kiambu County.
They have a lot of agricultural work, especially hydroponics, and do consulting for those who are interested in the same.
Services offered by green life veggies.
They majored in making the best hydroponic systems, teaching, and training folks in modern ways of agriculture Producing the best agricultural and Produces through newer ways of farming that is hydroponics”
- Green life veggies sell growing cups for growing lettuce, spinach, and spices in the hydroponic system.
Image _ courtesy. Growing cups.
- They also sell drip lines used for irrigation in hydroponically grown crops such as tomatoes.
Image _ courtesy. Hydroponics drip lines
- Green life veggies sell gutters used for growing vegetables with shallow rooting systems i.e. spinach, lettuce, kale, and broccoli.
- They sell pumice. Pumice is used as one of the growing media for hydroponic farming for crops with deep root systems requiring strong support.
Image courtesy. Pumice growing medium.
- Green veggies also sell trough widely used for growing with heavy products well as herbs, and spices.
Image_ courtesy. Trougs or gutters.
Instagram @greenlifeveggies.
Facebook Greenlife Veggie.
They are located at Rungiri Nairobi KE
Contact: 0700 210 080.
4. SERAHK HYDROPONICS.
Serahk Hydroponics is a social enterprise established in 2020, inspired during the Covid-19 lockdown, to combat the issue of Food Security. It exists to popularize and hasten the adoption of Hydroponic farming across Kenyan urban and pre-Urban areas.
SERVICES OFFERED.
- Design & installation of hydroponic units for edible vegetables and herbs or aesthetic purposes
- Preparation of Hydroponic nutrients and buffering coco peat and other media for clients
- Troubleshooting, testing, and diagnosis of problematic hydroponic systems
- Training on how to set up and maintain gravity-fed Hydroponics systems
- Management of existing hydroponic units
- Help clients with sourcing hydroponic materials including Grow pipes/containers, Coco peat, Nutrients, Bird nets, Water reservoirs, Shade houses, Organic pesticides, pH meters, Drip systems, and Metal Frames
Address: P.O. Box 482, 01001 Kalimoni, Juja
Physical Location: Juja Town, Along Thika Road.
Phone: +254 788 401 236
Email: info@serahkhydroponics.com.
5. Greenspan Agritech Pvt. Ltd.
It is a joint venture company founded in 2003. The synergy between superior Dutch technology and innovative, high-quality low-cost manufacturing in India leads to an end product unparalleled by others
Services offered.
- Specialized troughs solution for the hydroponic growers of Roses and vegetable crops.
- Enables growers to collect and recycle water thus saving water and nutrients.
- Customized sizes can be provided in the form of rolls making them easy to transport and install.
- They sell Compatible various Substrates such as Coco peat, Pumice, or other mixes.
- They also sell growing systems for tomatoes.
- They also help install pack house structures for hydroponic crops
They are located at Nairobi road, Nakuru, Kenya
P.O BOX 13961 NAKURU.
6. Crop Nutrition Laboratory Services (Cropnuts).
They are specialists in developing balanced fertilizer recipes for greenhouse-cut flower crops, growing in soil and hydroponic systems.
The company also offer consultancy on various aspects of farming.
They also offer technical training
P.O. Box 66437, Cooper Center, Kaptagat Road, Off Kangemi Flyover, Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, 00800 Kenya.
7. THEE NGONG HYDROPONIC.
It is a hydroponic farm that adopts modern hydroponics technology, which ensures high yield.
He grows tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, and many others in hydroponics.
Contact: 0702 375 740
8. KCB Foundation Young Africa work.
Services offered.
- KCB Foundation supports young people through the establishment of Hydroponics systems under “tujiajiri” programs.
- It also offers training on Hydroponics farming.
- It also offers hydroponics system installations service to these young people.
Contact. 0782141316
Ngong kibiko.
9. Vertical Garden LTD.
They are a hydroponics supplier in Kikuyu.
Services and products offered.
- Automated tower garden.
- Vertical garden planter
- Wall mounted flowers grow bag
- Pocket vegetables living garden bag.
- They also offer training on hydroponic farming.
They are based at Kikuyu, next to the Kinoo Bus stage.
Contact: 0796858867
Before starting a hydroponic farm it is important first to gather all necessary information about hydroponic farming in terms of cost of establishment, nutrient accessibility, site or location to establish your firm, and crops in question among other factors. The above-mentioned companies offer hydroponic farming services ranging from establishment to harvesting of hydroponic produce.
Hydroponic system cost estimates. The cost of implementing a hydroponic system varies considerably based on the number of trays. On average 30 to 50 trays will cost you about KShs. 30,000 and can go up to Ksh. 50, 000.
: https://www.tuko.co.ke/292794-hydroponic-farming-kenya-cost-profitability-common-problems.html
