India faces the dual challenges of a booming cattle population and land available for fodder production. Hydrogreens has developed an innovative hydroponic system called Kambali to address the issue. The Kambali modules are microclimate-controlled “grow houses” designed to enable year-round fodder cultivation in a minimal footprint. This system offers a potential solution to increase fodder yields while minimising environmental impacts.

Monk Spaces conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental performance of the Kambali system. This assessment showcases that agricultural products and systems can ensure environmental transparency by conducting an LCA. LCA considered all the stages of a product’s life. It was carried out per the requirements of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. A comprehensive range of environmental impact indicators, such as global warming potential, acidification potential, resource depletion potential, and water deprivation potential, among others, were assessed. Evaluating water deprivation and eutrophication potential was particularly crucial. Assessing these factors is vital because water scarcity and nutrient pollution can have severe consequences for ecosystems and undermine the sustainability of agricultural practices.

The study examined multiple Kambali configurations – the basic V1 and V2 modules, versions equipped with solar panels, and a larger-scale “fodder station” comprised of V2 modules operating together. The system boundary for the LCA included the different life cycle stages of the modules, from raw material extraction (A1) to disposal/landfilling at the end of life (C4). The functional unit chosen for the LCA study was 1 module of the fodder production system. This unit allowed for a comprehensive assessment of impacts associated with a single unit of the overall operation.

A key performance indicator (KPI) of “per kg of fodder grown” was then used to evaluate the environmental impacts concerning the system’s productivity and yield efficiency. The KPI  enables the analysis of the total effects and benchmarking of the ecological intensity linked to the amount of fodder produced. The study compared the modules under different conditions. It assessed options like growing maise instead of wheat fodder and using bamboo for construction instead of conventional materials. It also considered the deployment of the module in different regions across India and using solar panels.

The results were further analysed to identify the most significant contributors to the environmental impact. Relationship between module characteristics, such as the number of trays, and their associated environmental impacts were identified. These relationships enabled the estimation of the implications for future Kambali module configurations that Hydrogreens may develop.   

The LCA involved a comparative analysis of the environmental performance of the Kambali modules against conventional fodder production practices. Factors like irrigation requirements, fossil fuel use, and land use impacts were considered for the conventional methods. The study quantified the benefits of using the Kambali modules, such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GWP-biogenic and GWP-fossil) and resource savings (fossil fuels and water) compared to conventional practices.   

Based on the LCA findings, recommendations were provided for further reducing the environmental impacts associated with the Kambali hydroponic fodder system. The study established a methodology for estimating the impacts of future module configurations, enabling Hydrogreens to assess the environmental implications of their product development efforts. As vertical farming and other agricultural innovations continue emerging, comprehensive LCAs will guide responsible development and large-scale deployment.