Crop scientists in Nakuru have innovated a drought resistant species of grass to be planted in semi-arid areas of Kenya in a bid to help pastoral farmers in the country from heavy losses of herds of cattle during the drought periods.
The pasture dubbed bracharia is among a variety of wild grass species that thrives in dryland thickets.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday while at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), Dr Naftaly Ondabo a pasture researcher at the organisation says the latest flight in animal pasture innovation has seen a team of scientists develop the grass that is rich in nutrients.
"The bracharia Napier grass is also rich in iron and protein, nutrients that are essential to healthy growth and development of beef cows whose growth and development is favored by climatic conditions in arid and semi-arid areas. And this will be much beneficial to the farmers,"’ Dr Ondabo stated.
According to Dr Ondabo the grass species has advantages of conserving the environment in arid and semi-arid areas that are prone to soil erosion since it covers soil preventing it from being swept away by torrential rains and gales that pound deserts and semi-deserts.
"We are calling upon farmers to adopt this new crop because they are easy to cultivate. Farmers will also stand a good ground of making hay or silage of it and sale for profit for improved livelihoods," Dr Ondabo added.
Dr Naftaly Ondabo a pasture researcher at KALRO addressing the media on Tuesday.