This video shows how azolla is harvested. Azolla floating on the water surface is scooped up using vegetable crates with slots, so that the azolla gets picked up and the water drains away.

Azolla is one of the fastest growing plants in the world.It can double its biomass in just 2 days under favorable conditions.Once the azolla covers the entire water surface,the azolla plants start growing over each other and form a thick mat.Enough azolla is harvested so that only a thin layer of azolla remains in the pond.If the water contains enough nutrients ,the azolla grows again to form a thick mat ,this process can be continued till the water runs out of nutrients.For best possible results add nutrients after every harvest.
Since azolla grows so fast it becomes a good input for biomass renewable energy solutions and also as a animal feed option because azolla has nearly 25% protein by dry weight.

Azolla has the bacterium anabaena azollae that fixes nitrogen so less N fertiliser is required, plus the dead azolla adds to soil organic matter once it dies and best part is unlike compost or other fertiliser it does not need to be purchased, handled and spread with specialty equipment costing time and money.It grows exactly were it is required i.e. in the field 9 (grown in water logged paddy fields).

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