Let’s further explore how hydroponically grown fodder plays a pivotal role in enhancing the health and well-being of animals.

1. Reduced Exposure to Harmful Chemicals: Hydroponic systems based fodder grown by Shunya, provide a controlled environment where fodder is grown without soil. This eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides commonly used in conventional farming practices. As a result, hydroponically grown fodder is free from potentially harmful chemical residues that could adversely affect animal health.
2. Minimized Risk of Contaminants: Soil-borne contaminants, such as heavy metals, pathogens, and pollutants, can sometimes find their way into conventionally grown fodder through soil contamination. Shunya’s GLCs operate clean environments & hydroponic systems bypass soil entirely, eliminating the risk of contamination and ensuring that the fodder is cleaner and safer for animal consumption.
3. Optimized Growing Conditions: Hydroponic systems allow for precise control over environmental factors such as temperature, humidity & light. These optimized growing conditions promote healthier plant growth and minimize the risk of stress-related issues that could affect the nutritional quality of the fodder.
4. Improved Digestibility: Hydroponically grown fodder is younger and more tender compared to conventionally grown fodder. This results in higher moisture content and improved digestibility, making it easier for animals to process and extract nutrients from the feed. Improved digestibility can contribute to better overall digestive health in animals.
5. Enhanced Nutritional Profile: Hydroponically grown fodder can have a more balanced and nutrient-dense profile compared to conventionally grown fodder. By providing animals with a diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, hydroponically grown fodder supports overall health and immune function, reducing the likelihood of nutritional deficiencies and related health issues.
6. Reduced Respiratory Issues: Conventional fodder production methods often involve handling dusty materials, which can lead to respiratory problems in animals. In pollution prone areas, especially in some parts of India, the pollutants in the air tend to settle down on the plants and find their way into the diet of our livestock. Hydroponically grown fodder is cleaner and less dusty, reducing the risk of respiratory issues such as coughing and respiratory infections in animals.
7. Lower Risk of Mold and Mycotoxins: Hydroponic systems minimize the risk of mold growth and mycotoxin contamination, which can occur in stored conventional fodder or in Silage. Mold and mycotoxins can have harmful effects on animal health, including digestive disturbances, immune suppression, and reproductive issues. Hydroponically grown fodder, with its controlled growing conditions and reduced exposure to mold, helps mitigate this risk.

Overall, the absence of harmful chemicals, reduced exposure to contaminants, optimized growing conditions, improved digestibility, enhanced nutritional profile, and lower risk of respiratory issues and mold contamination contribute to the improved health parameters of animals fed hydroponically grown fodder.