BUSINESS PROPOSAL

NAPIER GRASS
INTRODUCTION TO NAPIER

How to improve the nutrition of farmers’ milking animals when each family keeps only one
dairy cow? During the cold, continental winter, the major fodders available are wheat or maize
straw, together with hay and concentrated feeds. As a minimum, it is essential to provide a
green fodder supplement to enhance rumen function for bovine animals. For smallholder
farmers with limited production capacity, finding enough feed to maintain good milk
production is always a problem. Many are forced to buy hay, concentrates or silage just to
keep their animals alive and are unable to benefit due to the higher prices paid for animal
feed.

Nowadays, the meaning of preparedness for emergencies and in the case of PANDEMIC is
particularly significant. Movement of people is restricted, and this affects the availability of
animal production inputs as well, including animal feed. To be prepared for leaner times, and
for cold and dry periods, livestock farmers can prepare a sufficient amount of quality animal
feed to use when other animal feed products are not available.

The government is aiming to produce 40% self-sustainable beef by 2015. Currently, the local

production capacity of beef industry could only supply up to 30% of local demands. The imbalance

between the demands and supply led the country to face losses due to the dependency towards the

imported products. The dependencies on imported products are dangerous to the state’s economic

stability - it might affect the price of the commodity in future especially when the imported country

cannot supply the demanded products as requested. As the demands increase while the supply is

lower, the price will absolutely increase.

The deficiency of meat demands in festive seasons is still an ongoing issue that is still unsolvable.

Besides, it is stated that the protein consumption among Malaysians are increasing in quantity (48.5

kg in 2003) as compared to the same demands in past years (13.2 kg in 1961). Meanwhile, the

consumption of carbohydrate via rice (as a main commodity consumed by the people nationwide) is

decreasing over the time from 121 kg in 1961 to 70.8 kg in 2003. From this information, the estimation

and assumption can be made that if only this trend would be staying stable, the needs and demands
over livestock and poultry products will increase drastically in future. One of the stated reasons for

this problem (lack in supply) is due to the limited feed resources.

In other words, the low input production systems are caused by the low quality and quantity of feed

available in the market. Thus, the relevant agencies and institution should take eager steps in

producing a better feed resource based on our nation’s resources that can accommodate the

demands of the local breeders.

Napier grass or elephant grass is a plant that could be found in abundance almost everywhere in

Malaysia especially near the rivers and drains. It is due to the fact that this plantation might live

greener in those wet areas as compared to dry lands. However, lack of initiative is taken to bring this

plantation to a higher stage - commercializing it. Many farmers are selling it by their own and in a

small scale; in which does not fit the demands of various local breeders. The local breeders usually

have to look and find it by themselves so that they can feed their livestock.

There are various varieties and species of Napier grass. In Malaysia, MARDI own 9 varieties of

species namely King Grass, Common Napier, Red Napier, Taiwan Napier, Ugandan Napier, Indian

Napier, Dwarf Napier, Dwarf ‘Mott’ Napier and Australian Dwarf Napier. These species might differ in

height as well as nutrient even they are categorized in the same group.

There are 3 types of fertilizers that can be used in the plantation; urea, triple superphosphate and

muriate of potash (MOP). King Grass, Common Napier, Red Napier, Taiwan Napier, Ugandan Napier

and Indian Napier were categorized under tall plants with the height more than 139 cm. On the other

hand, Dwarf, Dwarf ‘Mott’ and Australian Dwarf were categorized under shorter group with the height

of less than 95 cm. The farmers who placed a premium yield would be better to choose the tall

varieties while for the use of dairy production, the dwarf Napier grass would be better.
REASON ON WHY WE CHOOSE NAPIER GRASS

Among the strong points of selecting this plantation for commercializing it are cost effective, does not

need too much attention, can be harvest within a short period as well as suitable to be consumed by

cows, buffaloes, goats, sheeps, turkeys, ducks, fish, and others. In addition, this fresh leaves can also

be processed into animal foods in pallet form which can be stored for longer period of time.

HUMAN CAPITAL NEEDS

The financial cost for this project would be granted and capitalized. The costs can be divided into 2

different categories; technical and administrative costs.

• The technical costs

• The administrative costs

In implementing this project, various skills and knowledge are needed. The project might

need staff from government departments and private consultants and specialists in assessing

the suitability lands and others.

PROJECT JUSTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE

The proposed project will bring a lot of benefits to the public and the government at various levels.

i. Economic stability

ii. Help to meet the demands of local consumption of livestock products that is

increasing over the time.

iii. Might ensure the price of the commodity remains controlled due to the fact that

we produce it locally.

iv. The reduction on the dependency of the imported livestock products will also

help the government to be independence in economic perspectives.

v. Help the government to reduce the percentage of poverty as well as increasing

the income of the society.

 NAPIER GRASS

Napier grass requires warm and moist climate, clay

to clay loam soil for good growth. It is a prolific
yielder and has recently acquired a great popularity.
The crop is sown from end of February to end of
August. But for getting the maximum return in terms
of yield, the crop should be sown by the end of
February, since late sowing may give only one cut till
the end of November after which it remains in a
dormant stage.

The first cut is ready after three months of plantation and thereafter every 50-60 days. The
objective of green fodder is to at least provide a maintenance ration. A fodder which
does not satisfy this condition cannot be recommended for adoption under any
circumstances regardless of its yield. The Pusa giant napier has a fabulous yield, but the
yield depends on the height of the plant at which it is harvested.
CULTIVATION AND UTILIZATION OF NAPIER GRASS

Species: Pennisetum purpureum

Common Name: Napier grass

BENEFITS IN A SMALLHOLDER FARMING SYSTEM

• Gives high herbage yields throughout the year compared to other grasses.
• Controls maize stalkborer by trapping the ovipositing moths if planted round the maize
moths.
• Protects the maize from strong winds if planted round a maize field.
• Napier grass can also be sold as green fodder.
• Holds soil together and prevents run off and erosion if planted round the maize
•
AREAS WHERE ADAPTED

• Low to medium altitude areas

• Zones 11, 111 and IV
• Can grow in a wide range of well drained soils.
• Rainfall in excess of 900 nun per year is required for high herbage yields.

GROWING PERIOD
• Recommended to remain in same field for 3 to 5 years.

HARVESTING

• Napier grass is ready for harvesting 3-4 months after planting and harvesting can
continue at an interval of 6-8 weeks for 3 - 5 years.
• Leave a stem length of 10 cm from the ground at harvesting.
• How to store
• Napier grass is fed green to livestock.
• Excess green feed can be preserved in the form of silage.

POTENTIAL YIELDS

Yields depend on agro-ecological zone and management but on average Napier grass can
give 12 to 25 tons/ha of dry matter yield