From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The eight new pasture varieties developed by the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria have been registered with the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) following approval by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries.
The approval and registration of the pasture varieties were facilitated by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development.
The newly registered pasture varieties are as follows: Shika legume 1 (Mucuna), Shika legume 2 (White Lablab), Shika grass 1 (Ruzi grass), Shika grass 2 (Chloris gayana), and Shika grass 3 (Sorghum alumn).
Others are Shika grass 4 (Gamba grass), Shika grass 5 (Mumbasa grass), and Shika grass 6 (Hybrid napier).
Executive Director, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Prof. Muhammad Rabiu Hassan, briefed the Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Adamu Ahmed, on the development.
Prof. Hassan told the Vice-Chancellor that the pasture varieties, which were developed by NAPRI in collaboration with plant breeders at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, were approved at a meeting at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in Ibadan on Thursday, 17th April, 2025.
The Executive Director, who expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for facilitating the approval and registration, explained that this was the second time NAPRI got its pasture varieties released and registered with NACGRAB.
He said that the first time the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries officially approved and registered NAPRI’s varieties was in 2000, as published in Crop Varieties, a publication No. 2 (2009) by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology.
Prof. Hassan described the development as a “major step” in improving livestock production, saying that the varieties were a powerful combination of nutrition and resilience.
The Executive Director also said that the registration of the pasture seed varieties would help livestock farmers improve pasture production in addition to accessing high-quality seed, reducing pasture seed importation, and creating employment.
The NACGRAB meeting at which the new pasture varieties were registered brought together key stakeholders, including Prof. E.A. Iyayi, Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister of Livestock Development.
The Principal Investigator, Feed and Nutrition Research Programme, National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI), Dr. Sabo Abdullahi Abubakar, represented the institute at the meeting. Dr. W.M. Abdullahi and Dr. H. Abubakar, all from the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), were also at the event to support.
Shortly after the registration of the pasture varieties, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries issued a joint statement to announce the development.
It described the development as a “game changer” that would not only safeguard farmers’ investments but also enhance national food security and drive economic empowerment in rural communities.
