NAKURU, Kenya – Kenya’s economy depends heavily on livestock production, but traditional feeds have been unable to keep up with productivity demands.
Livestock farmers want alternative solutions to improve their animals’ productivity and health.
Dairy farmers argue that regular Napier grass is low in calories and protein and produces less meat and milk.
Against this backdrop, Y News recently set out to find out how new napier grass varieties are revolutionising livestock farming in Kenya.
For instance, a visit to Wilda Farm in Njoro Nakuru County established that the proprietor had embraced two Napier grass varieties.
One of them is Juncao, which the farm manager, Kennedy Kaburu, is encouraging dairy farmers to plant. Another variety is Super Napier from Thailand.
“Juncao grass combines elephant grass (napier) and bamboo. This gives Juncao a competitive advantage over local fodder crops while increasing its palatability,” Kaburu explained.
Why Juncao Napier grass variety is widely in Kenya
Y News established that Juncao grass, originally from China, is now commonly cultivated in Kenya, where it has been recognised for its benefits in livestock farming.
“When used as fodder, it can significantly boost milk yield in dairy cows by up to 40%. In Kenya, a kilogram of Juncao grass is priced at Sh 20,” Kaburu said.
Kaburu revealed another advantage of Juncao Napier: It is highly productive in food proteins, between 13 pc and 18 pc.
“Cutting it at one and a half metres will give the cows the required nutrients. Another advantage is the whole weather resistant. This means it can survive in all-weather ecological zones, whether arid and semi-arid or areas that receive adequate rainfall. It also produces so many gloves in one stamp, thus producing a lot of food,” he said.
Compared with silage, Juncao gives them 18 tonnes in one acre, higher than the other Napier grass.
“Another advantage of this napier grass is that during the dry seasons, it sustains the cows. Instead of going to buy hay and incurring more costs, the cow would have gotten both dry matter and green matter if you soaked the leaves,” said the livestock expert.
What agriculture experts think about Napier grass farming
Agriculture expert Alex Wanjala claims that Napier grass has a protein content of about 5–8 pc, significantly less than the 14–22 pc needed for cattle at various times.
Its 22 pc dry matter level also contributes to poor body composition and reproduction.
Dr Krailas Kiyothong’s Super Napier (Pakchong 1), a hybrid of elephant grass and pearl millet created in Thailand, can enhance livestock output and feed in Kenya. Super Napier’s distributors and promoters, Simon Thuo and Francis Kangethe, have conducted several tests at nearby labs.
The results show a 16–18 pc protein content appropriate for a cattle range.
After importing the grass from Thailand in 2018, the duo saw their dairy goats and Dorper sheep grow significantly and produce better milk and body weight.
Meanwhile, Kaburu stated that Juncao Napier grass is a variant of Napier grass known for its high protein content, reaching 18.6%.
“This grass can significantly boost cow milk production, improving it by over 50%. It takes about three months to grow to maturity before harvesting and has softer leaves compared to traditional Napier grass,” he explained.
What Wilda Farm is doing in terms of community empowerment
Kaburu disclosed that they have collaborated with local community members to build a more extensive dairy farm for capacity building.
“We sensitise them on how best to plant the fodder so that they have sufficient fodder on their farms. Then, from there, they come and buy the fodder from us, which they go and plant on their farms. At long last, they will have enough fodder on their farms,” said Kaburu.
On their six-acre plot of land close to Juja Town, Thuo and Kangethe have created a verdant field with more than ten types of fodder crops.
They have accomplished rapid growth and cluster multiplication by applying the Tumbukiza Method, a suggested method for grass multiplication.
Like Wilda Farm, Thuo and Kangethe have taught over 5,000 farmers nationwide and established demonstration farms.
The Kaguru Agricultural Training Centre provides farmers with information about Pakchong 1 grass.
What are the methods of planting Napier grass
Y News gathered that Super Napier grass is reproduced through cuttings using the TM technique for quicker establishment. To promote development, dig 2-foot-deep holes and fill each with soil and decomposed manure. All soil types and elevations up to 2100 meters above sea level are suitable.
Because of the grass’s thick foliage, little weeding is necessary. Although drip irrigation is preferred, milder climates with regulated wind speeds can use overhead irrigation.
The grass takes 75–90 days to develop, and the subsequent cuts are taken for animal feed after 45–60 days. Grass cutters or sharp pangas can be used for mechanised or manual harvesting. After wilting in the sun, the grass can be used for silage or fed raw to animals.
Compared to Brachiaria grass, which has a protein concentration of 13.5 pc, Super Napier grass has 16–18 pc crude protein.
Adding Super Napier and Juncao grass species to animal farming techniques can boost output dramatically and support Kenya’s dairy industry.
These Napier grass species are changing the game with remarkable attributes and outcomes for livestock farmers nationwide.
