48 Years Later, FG Registers 8 New Pasture Varieties

The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries has registered and released eight new pasture varieties for certification.

The new varieties developed by the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) are the first of such by MDA in nearly five decades.

The milestone was announced following a committee meeting held from April 15 to 17, 2025, at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Ibadan.

The newly approved varieties comprise six grasses: Brachiaria ruziziensis, Chloris gayana (Rhodes grass), Sorghum album (Sudan grass), Andropogon gayanus (Gamba grass), and Panicum Mombasa (Mombasa grass).

Others are Pennisetum purpureum (Napier grass) along with two leguminous forage crops: Mucuna pruriens and Lablab purpureus.

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According to a statement by the committee and Livestock Ministry, the development also raised the total number of registered pasture varieties in Nigeria to 10, following earlier releases of Stylosanthes and Centrosema.

The committee said the breakthrough marked a leap in efforts to strengthen the pasture and fodder value chain, enhance seed quality, and attract local and international investments into the feed and forage sectors.

Experts believe the certification will greatly benefit farmers and livestock producers by ensuring access to high-quality, genetically pure seeds with strong germination potential and resistance to pests, diseases and weed contamination.

This, in turn, is expected to enhance pasture establishment, increase forage yield and improve overall livestock productivity.

Stakeholders have hailed the development as a game-changer, noting that it protects farmers’ investments and reduces dependency on herbicides and pesticides, contributing to sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

The livestock sector plays a crucial role in Nigeria’s food security and rural livelihoods, so this initiative is expected to usher in a new era of productivity, economic growth, and ecological balance.

The registration of these varieties is also anticipated to boost the market value of pasture seeds, positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global forage seed market.