Yobe Cultivates Special Grass for Livestock

Michael Olugbode

The Yobe State Government has introduced the cultivation of new species of exotic grass to mitigate against the high cost of livestock feed.

Speaking to journalists yesterday, the Programme Manager of Yobe Livestock Pilot Development Programme (YLPDP), Dr. Mustapha Gaidam, said with economic recession and high cost of animal feeds, the state government had to take the option of cultivating different species of special grasses to feed livestock.

He said the increase in cost of livestock feeds was as a result of high foreign exchange rate.
He said: “We have introduced nappier, centrosema and stylothensis grass as well as lablab and mucuna beans. The programme has also established demonstration farms to identify favourable areas for mass production of these livestock grass.”
He further disclosed that the grasses which are rich in nutritional values but not common in the state, would be planted to improve animal feeds across the state.

He added that: “Livestock farmers will also be trained on cultivation of the grasses.”
He expressed optimism that the cultivation of the grasses would check the massive migration of herders and cattle breeders in search of pastures and water points.

Gaidam said this would also improve the production of rich and healthy beef and dairy products in the state and boost economic prosperity.