For the first time in nearly half a century, Nigeria has officially registered and released eight new pasture crop varieties.
This development was confirmed at a three-day deliberation hosted at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in Ibadan.
This breakthrough comes 48 years after the last formal release of pasture types by a Nigerian government agency. The approval resulted from collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI).
It was announced jointly by the Ministry and the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries.
The newly registered forage crops include six grasses and two legumes: Brachiaria ruziziensis, Chloris gayana (commonly known as Rhodes grass), Sorghum almum (Sudan grass), Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass), Panicum mumbasa (Mumbasa grass), and Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass). The leguminous additions are Mucuna pruriens and Lablab purpureus. These varieties now join Stylosanthes and Centrosema on Nigeria’s official list, raising the total number of registered pasture types to ten.
Officials say this development is expected to revolutionise Nigeria’s pasture and fodder ecosystem, positioning the country for greater agricultural efficiency and sustainability.
The statement further highlighted that certified seeds offer substantial benefits: they provide superior genetic quality, higher germination rates, resilience against pests and diseases, and greater adaptability to local environmental conditions.
These traits not only increase returns on investment for livestock producers but also support environmental sustainability by curbing the use of chemical inputs and limiting the spread of invasive species.
The certification and release of these pasture varieties are also projected to stimulate economic growth within rural communities, encouraging both domestic and international investment in the livestock feed sector.
Officials described the move as a game changer for Nigeria’s agricultural economy, with ripple effects on food security, rural livelihoods, and the broader agro-allied industry.
In addition to improving the quality and quantity of feed available to livestock, the enhanced pasture options are expected to promote more sustainable farming methods.
