Kaduna – The Kaduna State Government has commenced the planting of about 100,000 hectares of imported grass, to open up more grazing options for herdsmen in the state.
Sani Yahaya, the state Director, Livestock Services, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Kaduna that the `Napier Grass’ was brought in from Kenya.
NAN reports that Napier grass, which goes by the botanical name Pennisetum Purpureum, is an important livestock feed because of its wide ecological range, high yield, and ease of propagation and management.
“The Napier grass seedlings were imported from Kenya, where the pastoral communities use it to feed their livestock.
“The seedlings are imported to enable pastoralists in Kaduna turn around their trade into big business.
“The grass will boost milk production of the pastoralists’ herds by about 150 per cent as it grows within every two weeks.
“The grass is also good for the health of the livestock.
“So far, the government’s gesture will cover 98,112 hectares of land,’’ Yahaya said.
The director disclosed that the state government was collaborating with an international group, Business Innovation Facility, on the programme.
He said that already, 74,000 hectares of grazing field had been planted at Ladduga in Kachia Local Government Area.
According to him, planting will simultaneously commence on 11, 612 hectares of grazing field in Gayan, Birnin Gwari Local Government Area, 7, 300 hectares in Kagarko, and 5,200 hectares in Damau, Kubau Local Government.
Yahaya expressed the belief that the success of the programme would attract investments into the state’s dairy industry.(NAN)