By KT Reporter
At least fifty farmers across Nebbi, Zombo, and Pakwach districts have started growing Super Napier Grass (Pennisetum purpureum or Pennisetum americanum) to promote sustainable agriculture, green energy, and commercial livestock production. The initiative aims to increase dairy, beef, mutton, and hides output while providing income for farmers.
The project, championed by SAGE Uganda Limited in collaboration with Nebbi district local government, began in December 2023 with support from Sun24, a US-based partner focused on green energy solutions like briquette charcoal. Farmers have embraced planting the multipurpose grass to feed livestock, mitigate climate challenges, and address land shortages for grazing.
The Napier grass has matured on 1.6 acres at a mother demonstration garden in Namthin Primary School, from where farmers are collecting seed cuttings for their own farms.
Emillio Odongo Wathum, SAGE director, explained: “We came up with this idea to promote Super Napier grass as an enterprise for sustainable livestock production and as a source of green energy. With bans on commercial charcoal and logging, Super Napier provides an alternative fuel source.”
He added that the fifty participating farmers aim to plant at least 100 acres collectively, with plans to expand in future planting seasons. Dr. Paul Jatho, a Nebbi farmer rearing livestock on 80 acres, is planting Napier grass on 5 acres and plans to expand to 10 acres within two years, diversifying into sheep and goats. “I urge West Nile farmers to embrace cattle rearing to meet the demand from growing urban markets,” he said.
Christopher Watumbe, a retired teacher in Zombo, is venturing into commercial goat rearing. He plans to adopt semi-zero grazing to prevent animals from damaging neighbors’ crops and advocates forming a SACCO to fund collective efforts.
West Nile, with a population of over three million (2024 census), has historically relied on livestock from other regions. Subsistence farming dominates, with beans, cassava, and low-growing Arabica coffee as main crops. But rising urban demand has made external livestock increasingly expensive, with cattle prices ranging from UGX 1.2 to 1.7 million, excluding transportation.
According to Uganda’s National Livestock Census 2021, Northern Uganda and Karamoja have the lowest cattle populations at 2.4 million (17 percent), compared to Central (3 million, 20.8 percent) and Eastern/Western regions (3.3 million, 23 percent).
Patrick Aneniu, Zombo district senior agricultural officer, praised farmers venturing into commercial cattle production and advised integrating livestock with enterprises like coffee, banana, piggery, and poultry. He recommended zero grazing and intensive management on small land holdings averaging 3.5 acres.
Cattle are central to African livelihoods, providing food, income, manure, and socio-cultural value. Yet many potential livestock farmers, like John Othembi of Zombo, cite financial constraints. Othembi recalls that his village once kept over 60 local cattle breeds, most of which are now extinct, reflecting a generational loss of livestock in greater Nebbi.
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