NAPRI, NASC sign deal to develop pasture breeder seeds for commercialisation
The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) has made a significant advancement in its pasture breeder seeds research by collaborating with the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to develop pasture breeder seeds system.
The collaboration, which was formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), seeks to address long standing challenges in livestock feed and fodder availability.
Both NAPRI and NASC signed the MoU at the Head Office of the National Agricultural Seeds Council in Abuja on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026.
The MoU is also aimed at reducing reliance on imported pasture seeds as well as mitigating farmer-herder conflicts in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
It is also geared towards strengthening the collaboration between both organisations in promoting certified and foundation pasture seeds and improving commercial seed systems for forage crops.
The deal further seeks to strengthen the partnership through the establishment of quality standards to ensure livestock farmers have access to improved pasture varieties for their animals.
NAPRI Acting Executive Director Prof Mohammed Rabiu Hassan signed the MoU for NAPRI while NASC Director-General Hon. M Fatihu stood in for NASC.
Speaking shortly after the MoU signing, NAPRI Acting Executive Director Prof Mohammed Rabiu Hassan thanked the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, for his commitment towards the development of livestock sector.
He acknowledged with immense appreciation the Minister’s unwavering resolve to promote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the National Livestock Growth Accelerated Strategy (NL-GAS).
Hassan also appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, for providing all the necessary support to NAPRI for continuation of research on pasture seeds and other research activities to achieve the national mandate.
Members of the NAPRI team at the Mou signing were Dr S A Abubakar, Dr (Mrs) W Abdullahi, Malam Ibrahim Muazu Dankama, and Barrister O I Arigbede.
The Personal Assistant to the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Prof E S Iyayi, represented the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
It would be recalled that NAPRI had successfully registered eight new pasture varieties (six grasses and two legumes) with the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in April, 2025. It is the first of such registration in 48 years.
Similarly, the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, had on January 21, 2026 commissioned a 10-tonnes-per-hour pasture seeds processing unit and other infrastructure provided at NAPRI by L-PRES. This is essentially to boost livestock production in Nigeria.
Moreover, NAPRI last year produced 20 tonnes of pasture breeder seeds of different varieties to increase availability for grazing reserve development in the country.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University,
Zaria (NEWS/NAM)
Monday, 11th May, 2026
