Sita Ghirmire, a senior scientist and Brachiaria specialist working at the BecA-ILRI Hub (Biosciences eastern and central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute Hub), located at ILRI’s headquarters, in Nairobi, Kenya.
Sourcing fodder poses a big headache to many dairy farmers. Brachiaria, a grass repatriated to Africa from Brazil, is good for grazing, can be baled as hay, and increases milk production.
‘From a distance it resembles Napier grass, but on a closer look, the difference becomes more pronounced. Growing up to 1.5 metres in optimal soils and climatic conditions, the Brachiaria grass, with its dark green blades, produces seeds unlike Napier.
‘This fodder repatriated to Africa from South America is causing excitement among farmers selected for pilot studies by research organisations. Its outstanding features include high and ability to capture atmospheric carbon into soils. With a crude protein level of about nine per cent, it is becoming the preferred choice of farmers who have been using Napier or Rhodes grass with a protein content of around eight per cent.
‘Many farmers have concerns about the declining performance of Napier grass due to the high incidence of diseases such as stunt and smut. Besides higher yields, this grass can be made into hay or fed to livestock while fresh from the farm. It is harvested four months after planting and can be cut every two months up to the seventh or even the 10th year.
‘Its yield ranges between 18 and 20 tonnes of green fodder per acre and when dried and baled as hay, it gives 8.5 to 10 tonnes. Rhodes grass, which has been a favourite fodder among zero grazing farmers, yields eight tonnes of green grass in the rainy season.
Brachiaria grass is indigenous to Africa, but has been growing wild until recently. It was taken to other parts of the world, including Australia and South America, where it was improved to get superior varieties, some of which arc now being promoted in Kenya.
‘For the last two years, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) has been evaluating four varieties of improved Brachiaria grass on fields in north-western Kenya, lower eastern, coastal lowlands and central high lands,” explains Dr Donald Njarui, the Scientist at KALRO, who leads the research programme in Kenya.
‘The programme is part of larger initiative Jed by Biosciences Eastern and Central Africa-International Livestock Research Institute (BecA-ILRI) Hub, in partnership with KALRO, Rwanda Agriculture Board, International Centre for Tropical Agriculture [CIAT], Grasslanz, and AgResearch, that aims to increase the livestock productivity in East Africa.
‘It is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The programme commenced in late 2013, and later, four improved varieties: Basilisk, MG4, Piata and Xaraes were provided to farmers. It has been experimented and produced positive results in Malindi, Kilifi, Machakos, Makueni, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Embu and Meru counties. . . .’
Read the whole article by Mwangi Ndirangu in Smart Farmer Kenya: New fodder grass stirring excitement in farmers, Mar 2016.
nyce script for us farmers am in Molo Nakuru county can i get the brachiaria seeds
Farmers in Kenya please contact Donald @kalromkulima scientist in Katumani on tel:0716964732
can I get the seeds from kari please or the shorts for transplanting
Farmers in Kenya please contact Donald @kalromkulima scientist in Katumani on tel:0716964732
I am John karanja from kitale cherangany…this is my second year in dairy..where can I get this brachiaria grass seedlings in transnzoia county..thanks
Farmers in Kenya please contact Donald @kalromkulima scientist in Katumani on tel:0716964732
Can i get Brachiaria seeds to test in the Sudan
Please advise me on how I can access planting materials for brachiaria grass. Am a farmer in Nyahururu currently growing Rhodes grass, Napier grass and Lucerne and maize for animal feeds. I have two acres available if I can get the materials
Farmers in Kenya please contact Donald @kalromkulima scientist in Katumani on tel:0716964732
Great news!, please how can we get the seeds here in Ghana?
Please, where can I get the seed in Ethiopia!
Since posting this article, ILRI has received numerous requests from farmers for seed/cuttings of this grass. We would like to acknowledge each and every farmer who has sent in their request. While the national agricultural research program, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO, formerly KARI) does not have seed available for distribution at the moment, they are working hard to develop a database of farmers in different areas across the country who can supply cuttings. We will share this information as soon as it is made available.
I’m Geofry Bett from Kuresoi South constituency and in need of brachiria
Hi am Young famer in cherangany who happen to hear of this grass and intrested in planting but, i dont know where to find the seeds plis help
Since posting this article, ILRI has received numerous requests from farmers for seed/cuttings of this grass. We would like to acknowledge each and every farmer who has sent in their request. While the national agricultural research program, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO, formerly KARI) does not have seed available for distribution at the moment, they are working hard to develop a database of farmers in different areas across the country who can supply cuttings. We will share this information as soon as it is made available.
Need this, am a farmer in nku at a 40 hectares of land do dairy
Where can I get seeds for planting and how much? I am in Kericho and sometimes in Kisii.
Since posting this article, ILRI has received numerous requests from farmers for seed/cuttings of this grass. We would like to acknowledge each and every farmer who has sent in their request. While the national agricultural research program, Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO, formerly KARI) does not have seed available for distribution at the moment, they are working hard to develop a database of farmers in different areas across the country who can supply cuttings. We will share this information as soon as it is made available.
i add to the list. have you so far come up with how we can easily get the bracharia seed for planting? i add to the list of enthusiastic farmers who wish to try. right now am preparering my space. thank you.
I am interested in planting it.where can i get the seeds and how many kg per acre.am from Trans Nzoia County.
How does one plant it?
This is very very encouraging. As a small dairy farmer, where can I get the seedlings during this heavy rains season? What else do you have for the small dairy farmer that can improve feeding.
Quite inovatieve where can one get this grass in Uganda?
Am selling Brachiaria splits very cheaply. Contact me on +254701750294.My name is zipporah njoki
Very interesting grass which I need to experiement in Mozambique in Africa
am a farmer and I want to grow bracharia in Usain gishu ,where shall I get seedlings /splits
what an excellent grass . where do I get its planting materials in Bomet county
I personally need it
Where can I buy this grass. I am looking to plant this in Seguton North Kuresoi
I am in need of the seeds to plant in Kilifi and Taita.
Informative and interesting. Am a farmer in Kajiado County Kiserian region. Can I use this crop as a boundary on my farm or will it have negative impact on other crops?
Very informative . will plant bracharia in Muranga
whea can I get the seeds @ how much per Kg
AM LULE MIKE from Kampala -Uganda
Have read of Brachiaria hybrid and I have been very much interested in the folder.
Please how much are 2kg of seeds and please can you send them by Bus to Kampala.
Very highly waiting for your earliest reply
LULE MIKE
256782975352 / 256706975352
This wonder grass is the answer to perenial shortages in livestock feeds experienced mainly by dairy farmers across the country..Lets join hands and spread gospel concerning this fodder crop and let KALRO find a way of distributing planting materials,
Have already planted 230 bushes in an area. Comparatively, it’s amazing as am also on napier just on an adjacent farm.
I will try it.
This seems to be the turning point of farmers in kenya