LocationsGreen Fodder: Healthy Animals and Restored Pastures
September 4, 2025
Junus Ismailov, a farmer from Osh and head of the Sydyk public association
When Junus Ismailov, a farmer from Osh and head of the Sydyk public association, first heard about hydroponic fodder, he was doubtful. “Fodder without soil? In just one week?” he recalled thinking. But after his community organization Sydyk received support from the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme, he had the chance to test the technology himself.
A year and a half later, Junus is convinced: “This solution doesn’t just help my farm. It helps entire communities. We can feed animals, save water, and give pastures time to recover.”
Hydroponic fodder is fresh, nutritious greenery grown in just 7–8 days without soil
Hydroponic fodder is fresh, nutritious greenery grown in just 7–8 days without soil. It uses 90 percent less water than traditional farming and can be produced year-round, even on small plots of land. One kilogram of barley seed yields six to seven kilograms of lush green fodder rich in vitamins, protein, and carotene—faster, cheaper, and more resource-efficient than conventional forage crops.
Hydroponics is not a novelty. In countries like the UAE and Singapore, it has become essential for farming under water-scarce conditions. Leading agricultural nations such as the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands also rely on it to boost productivity. Research shows that hydroponic fodder can be 30–50 percent more nutritious than traditional crops, shortens the fattening cycle of livestock, and makes farming possible even in extreme climates or urban centers. In dry regions of Australia and Africa, one hectare of hydroponic installations can replace 50–70 hectares of pastureland.
The process of watering hydroponics
For Kyrgyzstan, the stakes are high. Experts estimate that up to 70 percent of the country’s winter pastures are degraded, with grazing pressure exceeding sustainable levels by four to five times. Hydroponic greenhouses built under the project, each just 24 square meters in size, can produce up to 600 kilograms of fodder daily—enough to feed 25–30 head of cattle without sending them onto overgrazed pastures during the critical spring months.
“Thanks to hydroponics, our farmers delayed moving their herds to pasture by two weeks. That small change makes a huge difference for grass regeneration. If just 120 farmers produce 50 kilograms of hydroponic fodder daily, we can preserve about 1,800 hectares of pastureland every year.”- Junus explained.
The project’s results are already visible. Three greenhouses were built in Mady, Datka, and Bash-Bulak villages. More than 400 farmers and herders took part in training and demonstrations. Two hundred brochures in Kyrgyz were published and distributed. One hundred twenty farmers tested the technology, and 150 calves were successfully fattened on hydroponic fodder.
For local families, the benefits are tangible. Farmers are saving money by replacing expensive feed concentrates with homegrown fodder. Milk yields and meat gains are rising. The pressure on pastures is easing. And women and farmers with disabilities are adopting the technology as an accessible source of income.
The project has become a catalyst for change. Inspired by Sydyk’s experience, farmers in other regions of Kyrgyzstan are already building their own systems. Junus and his team are sharing their knowledge widely.
“This project is just the beginning,” he said. “We are grateful to the UNDP-GEF Small Grants Programme for their trust and support. Hydroponics is the future of sustainable livestock farming in Kyrgyzstan.”
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