AVPN Global Conference 2023 | 20 - 22 June 2023

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Hydrogreens: Solar-Powered Vertical Fodder Farms for Marginal Farmers in India

Climate-moderated grow house with an area of 2000 sq ft, set near milk pooling center, with vertical farming units powered by solar to produce two times more fodder per year than an acre using 99% less water, zero grid energy, and less than 5% land.

By

Hydrogreens Agri Solutions Pvt Ltd

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Social causes

Beneficiaries

SDGs covered

Endorsed by

Villgro Innovations Foundation

Villgro is India’s oldest and most experienced social enterprise incubator that helps build the social enterprise ecosystem in India.

Market of Implementation

  • India

Problem

A 300 million tonnes shortage of green fodder affects 70 million small & marginal dairy farmers losing 15% to 25% of their dairy income. This is compounded further with demands from the bioenergy sector needing 500 million tonnes of non-food feedstock for ethanol. Displacement of pastoral ecosystems by solar parks that require millions of hectares of land further add to land & feed competition.


We are solving this by designing vertical farming spaces in extreme dry & arid regions either by growing indoors or by Agrivoltaics.

If this problem is not addressed, we will continue to see disintegration of cooperatives & small holder farmers giving up livestock activities, losing income opportunities & urban increased migration. Also there could be millions of job opportunities lost as a result of the current design standards with solar parks. At Hydrogreens, we are working to tackle this problem.

Solution

At Hydrogreens, we aim to address the issue of fodder shortage in India to help marginal farmers through the Multipurpose Fodder Station (MFS).


MFS delivers 0.5 tons of fresh high protein fodder everyday using 99% less water & less than 5% of the land compared to a conventional acre. We are the first fodder producer whose production process is carbon negative & aligns with UN SDG goals. Our energy costs are zero compared to others who need significant energy as an operating expense. We have delivered in the backdrop of 55 degrees as well as near zero degrees.

Our model is modular, scalable and versatile to grow more than just fodder. Our MFS creates a strong hyperlocal economy for women self-help groups to sell fodder locally to their communities. Also, they can grow alternate crops like mushrooms and wheatgrass that can be dried & sold into markets. Overall, MFS delivers a 28% to 35% EBIDTA and break even in 4 years in rural places. It provides an opportunity for a climate resilient revenue source for the rural populace.

For more information on our solution, do refer to our Slide Deck.

Type of Carbon Reduced/Sequestered

CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), Methane

Amount of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Avoided/Sequestered

For every kg of fodder grown, we avoid 0.1188 kg CO2e. Each MFS can avoid 25 tons of CO2e per year. We save about 237 cubic meters of water per year.

Means of Measurement

We completed a detailed LCA analysis of our product & services, and have detailed reports of CO2e avoided and saved as per international standards.

Tendering the fodder lowers the methane. Our fodder is highly digestible with high TDN & Crude protein, hence about 3 liters of methane is reduced per cattle per day. It is based on internationally published papers. Currently, we are measuring the solar energy generated, stored & used at each Multipurpose Fodder Station (MFS).

Project’s Environment & Climate Capability

Climate Risk Reduction, Coordination on Climate Change Measures and Activities Across Relevant Actors, Policy and Administrative Management for Climate Change

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