Kenya, December 11, 2025 – Azolla, a fast-growing aquatic fern long valued in Asian farming systems, is rapidly gaining traction across East Africa as a sustainable, affordable, and highly nutritious livestock feed. Dubbed “green gold,” Azolla is being embraced by poultry, dairy, and fish farmers seeking to reduce feed costs while maintaining productivity.

Across rural homesteads, farmers are converting small corners of their compounds into Azolla ponds using simple, low-cost materials such as plastic-lined pits, cemented troughs, tanks, or even old basins and bathtubs. With minimal set-up requirements and consistent care, Azolla provides a continuous supply of high-protein feed that is reshaping smallholder agriculture.

Experts from Demi Farms in Kajiado County, who train farmers across the region, emphasize that success depends on following a clear sequence of steps from site selection to harvesting. According to Demisse Rousses, site selection is critical. Azolla thrives on flat ground with partial shade, ideally receiving 25–50 percent indirect sunlight. Clean water sources such as harvested rainwater, borehole water, or stored tank water are essential, as the plant is highly sensitive to salinity, stagnation, or contamination by agrochemicals.

Farmers can choose from a variety of pond or container options, with shallow lined ponds between 20 and 40 centimeters deep being the most common. Preparation involves filling the unit with fresh water to a depth of 20–30 centimeters, then adding a handful of well-decomposed manure or a phosphorus source such as bone meal or rock phosphate. Once conditions are stable, starter Azolla is spread thinly across the water surface, covering 10–20 percent initially to encourage rapid expansion.

Daily and weekly maintenance is vital to sustaining healthy growth. Farmers must maintain partial shade, replenish water lost to evaporation, and monitor pests such as snails or mosquito larvae. Overcrowding is a common risk; once Azolla covers 70–80 percent of the surface, it must be harvested to prevent self-shading and nutrient depletion. Small additions of diluted manure slurry can boost growth, but overfeeding leads to rotting and oxygen loss.

Harvesting typically occurs every three to seven days once the pond is established. Farmers scoop Azolla using a fine mesh or bucket, rinse lightly, and either sell it fresh or sun-dry it for storage. Dried Azolla lasts longer and can also be used as compost for organic fertilizer. Under ideal conditions of partial shade, clean water, and temperatures between 20–30°C, Azolla can double its biomass every two to five days, with ponds reaching full cover within one to two weeks.

Nutritionally, Azolla is rich in crude protein (20–30 percent), phosphorus, calcium, potassium, and B-vitamins, making it an excellent supplement for poultry, goats, and cattle. It supports egg production, milk yield, and overall animal growth. Its symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria also enhances soil fertility in integrated farming systems.

Environmentally, Azolla is highly efficient, requiring far less water per kilogram of protein compared to conventional fodder crops. It can be sustained entirely through rainwater harvesting or recycled farm water, while its pond mats suppress mosquito larvae and reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers. With proper maintenance, Azolla ponds can remain productive for years.Commercially, Azolla farming requires minimal space, with many micro-units starting at just 5–20 square meters. Market prices in Kenya range from Sh250 to Sh1,200 per kilogram depending on region and format, with strong demand near poultry, dairy, aquaculture, and organic vegetable farms. Experts advise farmers to diversify between fresh and dried products, form producer groups, and negotiate supply contracts with feed mills to stabilize sales.

Challenges remain, including nutrient depletion, excessive sunlight, contamination, and pests such as snails. Farmers are encouraged to manage these risks through shading, fencing, clean water sources, and regular harvesting. Importantly, Azolla should not be used as a complete feed but rather mixed with energy-rich supplements such as maize, cassava, or commercial concentrates.

For farmers in arid and semi-arid lands, Azolla offers a lifeline. Rainwater collected during wet seasons can sustain ponds through dry months, ensuring reliable protein supply when other fodders fail. Trainers recommend starting small with one or two troughs, then scaling up once farmers gain experience and secure buyers. Integrating Azolla with poultry, goats, or vegetable production creates resilient, diversified farm systems.

With soaring feed prices and unpredictable weather patterns, Azolla farming is emerging as a practical, affordable, and sustainable solution for smallholder farmers. As adoption spreads, this once-overlooked aquatic fern is steadily transforming livestock feeding and farm resilience across East Africa, proving itself as true “green gold” for the region’s agricultural future.