Cattle farmers in Gomba District have called on the government to subsidize Guatemala grass seeds, saying the high-nutrition fodder could help reduce livestock deaths during dry spells and significantly increase milk yields.
Farmers made the appeal after visiting a local farm successfully cultivating the grass, which they say could transform livestock feeding across the district.
Cattle, goat, and sheep farming is a major livelihood in Gomba, one of Buganda's leading livestock-rearing districts.
Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines
However, farmers say prolonged dry spells continue to cause pasture and water shortages, leaving animals malnourished and vulnerable.
Dairy farmers face additional costs buying feed supplements and milk-boosting additives, many of which are unaffordable.
In search of a sustainable solution, farmers recently toured MK Mixed Farm in Budonga Village, Mpenja Sub-county, where over 100 acres of Guatemala grass are being grown.
The farm proprietor, Engineer Moses Kazibwe, explained that the grass is highly productive and nutritious.
"I started with only three seedlings seven years ago, and now I have 100 acres. One stem of Guatemala grass can yield up to 120 kilogrammes. If one cow consumes 20 kilogrammes per day, a single stem can feed six cows daily and keep them healthy," Kazibwe said.
He added that the grass is particularly ideal for zero-grazing dairy systems.
"For dairy farmers keeping cows in sheds, Guatemala grass is essential. It produces a lot of fodder, contains nutrients that promote fast animal growth, and significantly increases milk production. A cow producing three litres of milk can double output within a week after feeding on Guatemala grass," he said.
Kazibwe also guided farmers on planting and managing the fodder, including preserving it as silage.
"To avoid losing animals during drought due to lack of pasture, farmers should plant at least one or two acres. However, the challenge is that the seeds are expensive. Establishing one acre requires about Shs9.6 million. The good thing is that this grass can also be preserved as silage and fed gradually," he said.
Farmers urged the government to subsidize seed costs so more livestock keepers can grow the grass.
"Our biggest challenge is pasture, especially during this prolonged dry spell. The heat is intense, grass dries up, cattle lose weight, and some die. What we have seen is that if we had Guatemala grass, we would still have pasture even during drought. We ask government to support us because the seeds are very expensive," they said.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Gomba, located in Uganda's cattle corridor, remains highly vulnerable to drought, with farmers frequently losing livestock during prolonged dry seasons.
