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.
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