Promotion of improved Napier grass varieties with hands-on farmer training in forage production and utilization December 2025 Outcome Report Contents | Page 1 of 7 CGIAR Contents INTRODUCTION 3 ACHIEVEMENT 3 KEY OUTCOMES AND SIGNIFICANCE 6 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 6 REFERENCES 6 CGIAR Contents | Page 2 of 7 Authors: Meki S. Muktar1, Alemayehu Teressa Negawo1, Kadir Mohammed2, Mesfin Dejene2, Fekede Feyissa2, and Chris S Jones1 1International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) 2Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR) Suggested citation: Muktar, M. S., Negawo, A.T., Mohammed, K., Dejene, M., Feyissa, F. and Jones, C.S. 2025. Promotion of improved Napier grass varieties with hands-on farmer training in forage production and utilization: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Cover photo: ILRI/Meki S. Muktar Copyright: © 2025. ILRI. This publication is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Disclaimers: This publication has been prepared as an output of the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Accelerator. Any views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily representative of or endorsed by the CGIAR System Organization. Acknowledgements: This work was conducted as part of the CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) Science Program. CGIAR research is supported by contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. Contents | Page 3 of 7 CGIAR Introduction Livestock production is a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, food security, and national economies across East Africa. The sector contributes substantially to household income, nutrition, and resilience, particularly in mixed crop–livestock and pastoral systems. However, livestock productivity in the region remains low relative to genetic potential, largely due to chronic constraints in feed availability, quality, and utilization. Feed shortages are widespread and persistent across the East African countries, with a substantial proportion of annual feed demand remaining unmet in the region (Paul et al. 2021; Burkart et al. 2024). These deficits are exacerbated by climate variability, recurrent droughts, rangeland degradation, and increasing competition for land from crop production and urban expansion. Although cultivated forages, hay, and silage have the potential to stabilize feed supply and improve diet quality, their adoption remains limited due to lack of improved varieties, weak forage seed systems, land constraints, limited farmer awareness, and inadequate extension support (Dejene, 2021). Limited knowledge and practice of cultivated forage production among smallholder farmers is a critical gap exacerbating this challenge. Against this backdrop, improved Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) has emerged as a strategic forage option for addressing feed quantity and quality gaps in East African livestock systems. Napier grass is widely adapted to diverse agro-ecological zones, exhibits high biomass productivity, and is well accepted by farmers due to its compatibility with smallholder mixed crop–livestock systems. Compared with natural pastures and crop residues, Napier grass provides substantially higher dry matter yields and improved nutritive value, particularly when harvested at appropriate growth stages (Habte et al. 2022; Kabirizi et al. 2015). Recent forage improvement efforts have resulted in the development of improved Napier grass varieties with enhanced attributes, including higher yield potential, improved leaf-to-stem ratios, better tolerance to drought and low soil fertility, and higher nutritional quality (Negawo, et al. 2024; Habte et al. 2022). These improved varieties offer an opportunity to stabilize feed supply, particularly during dry seasons, while supporting higher milk and meat productivity under smallholder and peri-urban production systems (Negawo et al. 2017). Therefore, promoting improved Napier grass varieties alongside appropriate production, management, and utilization technologies represents a practical and scalable pathway for reducing livestock feed gaps in East Africa. Such interventions align closely with regional feed strategies and offer tangible benefits for livestock productivity, climate resilience, and smallholder livelihoods. Achievements This promotion activity was initiated during the 2024 planting season with the objective of demonstrating and promoting the newly released improved Napier grass variety, Zehone-03 (ILRI accession 16819), within smallholder farming systems in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia, under the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods (SAAF) science program (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/162817). Three districts, namely Wolmera, Ejere, and Gefersa Guje were selected. From each district, ten farmers were selected, with a deliberate effort to ensure strong female representation. Each farmer was supported to establish Napier grass plot (approximately 5 m x 6 m) in their backyard (Figure1). In addition, demonstration plots were established at farmer training center for farmer learning and hands-on training in cultivating high-quality forage. To ensure successful establishment, farmers were provided with technical support and agronomic guidance covering proper planting techniques and initial crop management (Negawo et al. 2024). In 2025, the activities focused on the post-establishment phase of the improved Napier grass pilot program, such as field visits, technical advice, engagement with farmers and extension agents, and targeted on-site training. Our technical team conducted follow-up visits to the established farmer plots to monitor growth, provide technical support, and understand the challenges faced. During these visits, the technical team delivered practical, on-site training sessions covering advanced agronomic practices for optimal cultivation and methods for the effective utilization of the harvested forage in livestock feeding. The farmers were seen using the fodder from the plot to feed their animal through cut-and carry system and/or to make silage to use during the dry season when feed resources are scarce (Figure 2 and Figure 3). Another key component of this engagement was gathering direct feedback from farmers and extension agents about their perceptions, observations on the variety's performance, its management and benefits. This input is vital for assessing adoption barriers and guiding future dissemination strategies. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/162817 CGIAR Contents | Page 4 of 7 Figure 1. A farmer showing the Zehone-03 Napier grass variety established in her farmyard. Contents | Page 5 of 7 CGIAR Figure 2 and 3. A farmer in Ejere Woreda displaying the Zehone-03 Napier grass variety established in her farmyard (top) and stored silage for use during the dry season (bottom). CGIAR Contents | Page 6 of 7 Key outcomes and significance • Successful establishment: Both the decentralized farmer plots and the centralized farmer training center (FTC) plot were successfully established, creating multiple, accessible points of reference for the improved Zehone-03 Napier grass variety. • Foundation for learning: These plots now function as vital demonstration plots. They provide a practical platform for farmers to observe the growth, management requirements, and biomass yield of the improved grass compared to local varieties. Preliminary on-site evaluations and feedback from farmers and extension agents indicate strong initial performance. The improved variety is consistently reported to exhibit faster growth rates and higher palatability for livestock compared to the local varieties, reinforcing its potential to enhance on-farm feed security. • Capacity building: The hands-on approach, combining material support with technical backstopping, has initiated a critical process of skill development in cultivated forage production among the pioneer group of farmers. Conclusion and recommendations This pilot phase has successfully established the foundational groundwork for disseminating the improved Zehone-03 Napier grass. The developed network of demonstration plots, which are strategically distributed across individual farms and a central training center, creates a sustainable, experiential learning system. It is projected that these sites will catalyze farmer-to-farmer dissemination, generate crucial localized agronomic data, and contribute meaningfully to enhancing feed security and livestock productivity in the target districts. To maximize the long-term impact and sustainability of this initiative, future efforts should adopt a systems-based approach. The promotion of improved forages needs to be strategically coordinated and bundled with complementary interventions, including access to improved livestock genetics (such as improved dairy cows), enhanced animal health services, strengthened market linkages for livestock products, and promotion and awareness creation supported by AI and digital platforms. This integrated strategy is essential to ensure that increased feed availability translates into tangible economic gains and more resilient farmer livelihoods. References Burkart, S. and Mwendia, S. 2024. Forage seed systems to close the ruminant feed deficit in eastern Africa. Grasses 3: 333–354. https://doi.org/10.3390/ grasses3040025. Dejene, M., Kebede, G., and Tesfaye, T. 2021. Implementation guideline for cultivated forage production and utilization. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Habte, E., Teshome, A., Muktar, M. S., Assefa, Y., Negawo, A. T., Machado, J. C., Ledo, F. J. da S. and Jones, C. S. 2022. Productivity and feed quality performance of Napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus) genotypes growing under different soil moisture levels. Plants 11(19). https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192549. Kabirizi, J., Muyekho, F. and Pallangyo, B. 2015. Napier grass: Challenges, establishment, management and utilization. In: Kabirizi, J., Muyekho, F., Mulaa, M., Musangi, R., Pallangyo, B., Kawube, G., Zziwa, E., Mugerwa, S., Ajanga, S., Lukwago, G., Wamalwa, N.I.E., Kariuki, I., Mwesigwa, R., Nannyeenya-Ntege, W., Atuhairwe, A., Awalla, J., Namazzi, C. and Nampijja, Z., Eds., Napier grass feed resource; production, constraints and implications for smallholder farmers in Eastern and Central Africa, EAAPP Publication, 33-41. Negawo, A.T., Muktar, M.S., Dejene, M., Mohammed, K., Feyissa, F., Jones C.S. 2024. Promotion of improved Napier grass varieties, farmers field days and training on forage production and use. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). Negawo, A. T., Teshome, A., Kumar, A., Hanson, J., and Jones, C. S. 2017. Opportunities for Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) improvement using molecular genetics. Agronomy 7. doi: 10.3390/agronomy7020028. Paul, B.K., Birnholz, C., Nzogela, B., Notenbaert, A., Herrero, M., Bwire, J., Groot, J.C.J., and Tittonell, P.A. 2021. Livestock feeding systems and feed gaps in East African smallholder farms. The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Nairobi, Kenya. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11192549 Contents | Page 7 of 7 CGIAR Contact: animal_aquatic@cgiar.org CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. CGIAR science is dedicated to transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. Its research is carried out by 13 CGIAR Centers/Alliances in close collaboration with hundreds of partners, including national and regional research institutes, civil society organizations, academia, development organizations and the private sector. www.cgiar.org We would like to thank all funders who support this research through their contributions to the CGIAR Trust Fund: www.cgiar.org/funders. To learn more about the Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Program, please visit this webpage. To learn more about this and other Science Programs and Accelerators in the CGIAR Research Portfolio 2025–2030, please visit www.cgiar.org/cgiar-research-porfolio-2025-2030/ Copyright: © 2025. ILRI This publication is licensed for use under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0. | | | mailto:animal_aquatic@cgiar.org http://www.cgiar.org/funders https://www.cgiar.org/cgiar-research-porfolio-2025-2030/sustainable-animal-and-aquatic-foods/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0.