The Cooperative Abadahigwa Kumurimo (KOAKU) Gashora is an agroecological cooperative formed by 50 farmers supported by SOS Children’s Villages in Rwanda through the Green Project.

Bugesera sector like other parts of the Eastern province is an area with insufficient rainfalls (700mm/year) which affects agricultural production including fodder production.

The Green project in addition to the already existing intensive fodder production, introduced a very innovative yet very simple technology of hydroponic barley fodder production. Farmers were introduced to hydroponic fodder production to boost fodder and livestock production as stated by cooperative members through their testimonials.

According to Koaku Gashora members, the produced hydroponic fodder helped to double their livestock milk production. Mutegaraba said, “Before feeding the hydroponic fodder, I got four litres of milk a day, however after feeding my cow the hydroponic fodder the milk production doubled to eight litres per day.

Callixte Munganyiki said that despite the increase of milk produced by his cow after feeding it with hydroponic fodder, the appetite also increased, for instance before feeding his cow with hydroponic fodder I got three litres per day, but after feeding it the hydroponic fodder the milk doubled to six litters of milk per day.

The Koaku Gashora President said that neighbours from the community who are not supported by the project approached the cooperative to get knowledge and skills on hydroponic fodder production, which gives signs of future markets for hydroponic fodder production.