How Hydroponic Farming Is Transforming Small-Scale Agriculture in Kenya

Across Kenya, a quiet revolution is taking root—or rather, taking place without roots in soil. Hydroponic farming, the innovative method of growing crops without soil, is changing how small-scale farmers produce animal fodder and food.

Rose in her hydroponic farm

From Training to Transformation: Rose Chelang’at’s Story

When Rose Chelang’at, a small-scale dairy farmer from Kericho County, first heard about hydroponic farming, she was skeptical. But after receiving training from Hydroponics Kenya, a local agritech company that supports smallholder farmers, she decided to give it a try.

Hydroponics Kenya was introduced to her through the East Africa Market Development Associates, a partner of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) under its Feed the Future initiative. The program helps farmers adopt modern, efficient agricultural practices to improve productivity and income.

What Is Hydroponics Farming?

Hydroponics is a soil-free farming method where crops are grown using nutrient-rich water solutions. In Kenya, it’s increasingly used to produce livestock fodder such as barley, wheat, and maize sprouts. This method not only accelerates plant growth but also eliminates soil-borne diseases like aflatoxin, a persistent challenge for many farmers.

A Worthwhile Investment

After her training, Chelang’at invested around Ksh 113,000 to set up her hydroponic fodder system. The results were immediate and impressive.

“Two of my dairy cows now produce four more liters of milk per day, increasing from 11 to 15 liters. I get an additional 12 liters per day from my third cow,” Chelang’at proudly reports.

The improved nutrition from hydroponically grown fodder has boosted milk production and, consequently, increased her daily income.

Empowering Smallholders and Youth

Hydroponic farming is proving to be a game-changer for smallholder farmers across Kenya. Many are realizing its affordability, sustainability, and suitability for limited land spaces.

The technology has also opened up new opportunities for youth, who are venturing into the agribusiness value chain by fabricating and selling aluminum trays and other equipment required for hydroponic setups. This has created local jobs and stimulated rural economies.

USAID’s Role in Advancing Agricultural Innovation

Through the Feed the Future initiative, USAID continues to champion technology transfer and promote new, affordable, and effective farming solutions. Currently, USAID is supporting the dissemination of nine agricultural technologies and management practices across Kenya at various stages of adoption.

The Future Is Green—and Soilless

Hydroponic farming represents more than just a new way of growing crops—it’s a vision of resilient, climate-smart agriculture for Kenya’s future. With organizations like Hydroponics Kenya and USAID leading the charge, farmers like Rose Chelang’at are proving that technology-driven agriculture can feed livestock, families, and communities while improving livelihoods.

Hydroponic farming isn’t just transforming dairy farms—it’s reshaping the future of small-scale agriculture in Kenya.