The National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) is currently carrying out a research project on the economics of pasture seed production as part of efforts to address Nigeria’s growing demand for quality pasture seeds and boost livestock productivity.
The Programme Leader of NAPRI’s Feed and Nutrition Research Programme (FNRP), Dr Sabo Abdullahi Abubakar, disclosed this while speaking on the institute’s ongoing work in feed and nutrition research aimed at promoting pasture seed production nationwide.
According to Dr Abubakar, critical stages of the research, including soil analysis, agronomic assessment and seed yield evaluation, have already been completed, while proximate analysis of fodder after harvest is presently ongoing.
NAPRI, which was established in 1928 as a Cattle Stud Farm, operates as an integral research institute of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.
Dr Abubakar explained that boosting pasture seed production and organising pasture seed cooperative farmers across the country form part of NAPRI’s core mandate. He noted that adequate and quality nutrition remains essential for optimal livestock production, particularly for animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, horses and donkeys.
He said the Feed and Nutrition Research Programme is mandated to evaluate both indigenous and exotic fodder species across Nigeria’s different ecological zones in order to ensure the availability of quality feed resources for improved livestock production.
Providing insight into recent achievements, the programme leader disclosed that NAPRI produced about 20 tonnes of pasture seeds in 2025 to enhance seed availability for grazing reserve development across the country.
The pasture seeds produced include Brachiaria ruziziensis, Chloris gayana, Panicum mumbasa, Brachiaria mulato, Andropogon gayanus, Mucuna pruriens, and Lablab purpureus.
Dr Abubakar further revealed that, for the first time in 40 years, the institute successfully registered eight new pasture varieties with the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in 2025.
He explained that the registration followed approval by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries, with facilitation from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The newly registered varieties include Shika legume 1 (Mucuna), Shika legume 2 (white Lablab), Shika grass 1 (ruzi grass), Shika grass 2 (Chloris gayana), Shika grass 3 (Sorghum almum), Shika grass 4 (gamba grass), Shika grass 5 (mumbasa grass), and Shika grass 6 (hybrid napier).
He also highlighted ongoing collaborations under the programme, noting that NAPRI is working with ARLA Farm on the evaluation of 52 fodder species comprising both indigenous and exotic varieties. In addition, the institute is partnering with the Dairy Centre of Excellence, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (DCE, ATBU), on the evaluation of 20 exotic pasture species.
Dr Abubakar expressed appreciation to the Executive Director of NAPRI, Prof Mohammed Rabi’u Hassan, and members of the institute’s management for their support in advancing the objectives of the Feed and Nutrition Research Programme.
He also commended the staff of the programme for their commitment and dedication towards achieving NAPRI’s mandate.
