At Kalembwani Village in Mikuyuni Sub-location of Makueni County, farmers are fast embracing using Azolla to supplement poultry feeds, thanks to Fadhili Trust’s Nature+ project that has offered the trainings. This practice has not only helped reduce feed costs but also improved the overall health and productivity of the chickens. Ms. Eunice Mango has set up small-scale Azolla ponds(1M by 4M) to cultivate the fern.

The Azolla grows quickly, with a doubling time of about 2-3 days, making it a highly renewable resource. Ms. Mango sells 2kg of Azolla on a daily basis to interested farmers at Kshs.2,000 which she is able to meet other pressing household needs. This she says has increased her income diversity which she never used to attract.

She says that Azolla has significantly lowered the cost of poultry production, hence making it a more profitable venture to her household and the rest of the community. She has also observed improved egg production and growth rates in her chicken flocks as it is rich in Protein, Nitrogen, Vitamins, Iron, Calcium and Phosphorus which boost the immune system and overall health of the chickens. From nine of her layers, she previously could realize 27 eggs in 7 days.

However, the nine layers are now laying 63 eggs in 7-days. She also uses azolla to feed her dairy cows which has seen an increase milk production. On a daily, her three cows could previously produce 6 litres of milk but are now producing 9 liters of milk, which she sells as fresh milk, fermented milk or yoghurt.

This sustainable practice is now being scaled up, with more farmers joining the azolla bandwagon due to the clear economic and environmental benefits. The integration of Azolla in poultry farming is seen as a model for sustainable, low-cost poultry production that improves farmer profitability while reducing environmental impact.