Chilmari & Ulipur, Kurigram: Women Dairy Farmers Grow Lush Hydroponic Maize Fodder in 7 Days at ৳4.50/kg, Boosting Milk Yield by 15%
📊 Case Study Technical & Economic Profile
1. Regional Context & Agricultural Challenge
On the sandy Brahmaputra river chars of Kurigram, seasonal floods submerge grazing pastures for months while dry-season sandbars cannot support green grass, forcing poor dairy farmers to buy expensive dry straw and concentrate feed.
2. Technical Implementation & BARI Protocol Applied
Trained through UNDP, NGO, and BAU/DAE extension programs, rural women set up shaded bamboo racks holding plastic fodder trays. Locally sourced maize seeds are soaked for 12 hours, incubated in jute sacks for 24 hours, and spread onto trays sprayed with water 4 times daily.
3. Harvest Results, Economic Impact & Grower Outcome
Within 7 to 8 days, 1 kg of maize seed yields 6 to 7 kg of succulent green fodder root-mat costing only ৳4.50–৳5.00/kg. Cows fed hydroponic fodder increased daily milk production by 12% to 15% with higher butterfat.
This verified case study from Chilmari & Ulipur (Brahmaputra Char Lands), Kurigram demonstrates how adapting BARI Stock Solution A & B and localized soilless structures solves real regional climate and soil constraints while delivering strong commercial returns in Bangladesh.