Journal of Agriculture and Life Sciences

The Impact of Hydroponic Fodder Varieties on Livestock Productivity: An Economic Perspective in the Semi-Arid Region
Bashir Alhaji Baba, Mohammed Mustapha, and Makinta Alhaji Ali

Abstract
This study investigates the economic viability and growth performance of ram lambs fed hydroponic millet fodder as an alternative to conventional feeding strategies in livestock production. Conducted in two phases, the first phase focused on optimizing the cultivation conditions for hydroponic millet, while the second involved feeding trials with ram lambs across five treatment groups. An analysis of the chemical composition of the fodder revealed significant variations in key nutritional parameters, suggesting the suitability of different varieties for specific livestock needs. Growth performance metrics indicated that certain hydroponic treatments led to superior average daily gains and feed conversion ratios compared to conventional methods. The economic analysis further demonstrated that, despite lower total revenue, hydroponic feeding strategies yielded higher profits due to reduced feed costs. This study underscores the potential of hydroponic millet fodder to enhance both growth performance and profitability in livestock production.

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