NAPRI-led research on economics of pasture seeds production ongoing – Programme Leader
. This is to meet national demand for pasture seeds to boost livestock productionA research on the economics of pasture seeds production is being carried out at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) as part of efforts to meet the national demand for pasture seeds.
This was disclosed by Dr Sabo Abdullahi Abubakar, NAPRI Programme Leader for Feed and Nutrition Research Programme (FNRP).
Already, according to him, soil, agronomic, and seed yield evaluation had been completed. A proximate analysis of fodder after harvest was ongoing, he also said.
NAPRI, founded in 1928 as Cattle Stud Farm, is an integral part of Ahmadu Bello University.
The programme leader was speaking on the progress the institute made in the area of feed and nutrition research for the promotion of pasture seed production in Nigeria.
Dr Abubakar explained that part of NAPRI’s mandate was to boost pasture seed production and organise pasture seed cooperative farmers across the country.
The programme leader stressed that adequate quality nutrition was necessary for optimal animals production, most especially cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses, and donkeys.
According to him, FNRP was mandated to evaluate both indigenous and exotic fodder species in different ecological zones to provide enough quality feed resources to improve livestock production.
He disclosed that NAPRI under its Feed and Nutrition Research Programme produced 20 tones of pasture seeds last year to boost pasture seeds production and availability for grazing reserve development.
The seeds produced include Brachiaria raziziensis, Chloris gayana, Panicum mumbasa, Brachiaria mulato, Andropogon gayanus, Mucuna pruriens, and Lablab purpureus.
The programme leader further disclosed that the institute last year registered eight new pasture varieties with the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) for the first time in 40 years.
He said the registration was after the approval of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries.
Above all, he further said, both the approval and registration of the pasture varieties were facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The registered pasture varieties include Shika legume 1 (mucuna), Shika legume 2 (white lablab), Shika grass 1 (ruzi grass), Shika grass 2 (Chloris gayana), and Shika grass 3 (Sorghum almum).
They also include Shika grass 4 (gamba grass), Shika grass 5 (mumbasa grass), and Shika grass 6 (hybrid napier).
Dr Abubakar further said NAPRI under the programme he is leading was into various collaborations with a number of organisations in achieving its mandate.
For example, according to him, the institute was collaborating with the ARLA Farm on the evaluation of 52 fodder species that comprise both exotic and indigenous.
In addition, the institute was in partnership with the Diary Centre of Excellence, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (DCE, ATBU) on the evaluation of 20 exotic pasture species.
The programme leader appreciated the Executive Director, NAPRI, Prof Mohammed Rabi’u Hassan, and all other members of NAPRI management for their tremendous support to FNRP in achieving the institute’s mandate.
Abubakar also expressed gratitude to all staff of the feed and nutrition programme for the hard work and dedication towards realising the desired results.
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Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (NEWS/NAM)
Sunday, 4th January, 2026
