High-biomass Megathyrsus (Panicum) forage cultivars for cut-and-carry and grazing

High-biomass, drought-tolerant forage for reliable feed all year

This technology is a set of improved Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum) forage grass cultivars for livestock feeding: Mombasa, Tanzania, and Massai. They are improved forage grasses developed to deliver high biomass yields (10–20 t DM/ha/year) under tropical conditions. Selected for drought tolerance (500–600 mm rainfall) and good nutritional quality (8–12% crude protein; 55–65% digestibility), they ensure reliable year-round feed supply. Established through seeding or splits in well-prepared seedbeds, these cultivars show rapid regrowth and strong persistence, while their deep root systems improve soil structure and reduce erosion, supporting sustainable livestock production systems.

This technology is pre-validated.

Scaling readiness: idea maturity 9/9; level of use unknown

Adults 18 and over: Positive high

Engagement in livestock production, hay production and sale

Others: No impact

None

The poor: Positive medium

Forage for livestock

Under 18: Positive high

Engagement in hay production and sale

Women: Positive high

Engage in production with less time looking for forage, hay production, seedling production for sale

Climate adaptability: Highly adaptable

It works well where it is adapted in the tropical and sub-tropical environments

Farmer climate change readiness: Significant improvement

The forages are relatively drought tolerant and once established do not require to be planted every season. With good management can last 10 years before re-planting again

Biodiversity: Positive impact on biodiversity

It helps them grow and thrive as creates amenable micro-environment

Environmental health: Greatly improves environmental health

Prevents soil erosion through deep roots that also sequester carbon through roots turnover. Provides soil cover and promotes biodiversity

Soil quality: Does not affect soil health and fertility

Although the grasses take nutrients from the soil for good growth and biomass accumulation, manure accumulated by animals fed on the same can be ploughed back thus nutrient cycling which is desirable

Water use: Same amount of water used

Productivity water use efficiency would be high compared to most crops as the target use is the biomass

Problem

Seasonal Feed Shortages and Declining Livestock Productivity:

Recurrent dry-season feed scarcity significantly reduces milk production and weight gain in smallholder systems.
Traditional pastures produce only 2–4 t DM/ha/year, which is insufficient to sustain consistent animal performance throughout the year.

Climate Variability and Drought Stress:

Irregular rainfall patterns and prolonged dry periods limit forage availability and increase vulnerability of livestock systems.
Low-resilience pasture species fail under rainfall below 700 mm/year, worsening feed insecurity.

Soil Degradation and Low Pasture Sustainability:

Overgrazing and poor pasture management contribute to soil erosion and declining soil fertility.
Shallow-rooted native grasses provide limited soil stabilization, accelerating land degradation and reducing long-term productivity.

Solution

Increased Forage Productivity: Significant improvement in biomass production (10–20 t DM/ha/year), overcoming the low yields (2–4 t DM/ha/year) of traditional pastures and ensuring year-round feed availability.
Enhanced Drought Resilience: Strong tolerance to low rainfall (500–600 mm/year), reducing feed shortages during dry seasons and stabilizing livestock performance.
Improved Livestock Performance: Good nutritional quality (8–12% crude protein; 55–65% digestibility) supporting higher milk yields, better weight gain, and improved animal health.
Soil Restoration and Sustainability: Deep and dense root systems that improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and enhance nutrient retention, contributing to long-term pasture sustainability.

Key points to design your project

Megathyrsus maximus forage grasses such as Mombasa, Tanzania and Massai offer a high-efficiency alternative to low-yielding traditional pastures that are highly vulnerable to seasonal drought and feed scarcity. This improved, climate-smart forage technology enables livestock farmers to produce 10–20 t DM/ha/year far exceeding the 2–4 t DM/ha/year from natural pastures even under relatively low rainfall (500–600 mm/year). Its deep and dense root system improves soil structure, reduces erosion, and enhances nutrient retention, while its good nutritional quality (8–12% crude protein; 55–65% digestibility) supports higher milk yields, improved weight gain, and better herd health. Rapid regrowth and strong persistence under grazing reduce replanting costs and ensure reliable, year-round forage availability. The technology strengthens livestock productivity, enhances climate resilience, restores degraded lands, and supports sustainable intensification of smallholder livestock systems.

To integrate this technology into your project, create a list of project activities and prerequisites:

Estimate Seed Requirements: Determine the quantity of seed needed using a seeding rate of 3 kg/ha and define the total target area, ensuring availability of adapted cultivars.
Establish Seed Supply Systems: Support certified or community-based forage seed producers to ensure access to quality seed and sustainable multiplication systems.
Land Preparation and Establishment: Promote proper seedbed preparation (fine, well-prepared soil), timely planting, and early weed control during the establishment phase.
Soil Fertility Management: Encourage application of organic manure or appropriate fertilizers to optimize biomass production and persistence.
Training and Technical Support: Train extension agents and farmers on correct planting techniques, first harvest at 90 days, maintaining 10–15 cm stubble height, and regular cutting or rotational grazing every 6–8 weeks.
Awareness and Demand Creation: Organize demonstration plots, field days, radio programs, and farmer outreach campaigns to showcase productivity and economic benefits.
Partnerships: Collaborate with national research institutions, livestock departments, extension services, and private seed enterprises to scale up adoption and ensure long-term sustainability.

Cost vs. revenue

Data reliability of this estimate: 100 %

Return on investment 680 %

Every USD invested returns USD 6.8 net income.

Detailed financial information ›

IP

Open source / open access

Cost of the investment Sum of all fixed and operational expenses.	USD 2,616 Per hectare over 10 years
Gross revenue Sum of all income before subtracting costs.	USD 20,400 Per hectare over 10 years
Net income Gross revenue minus total cost.	USD 17,784 Per hectare over 10 years
Return on investment Percentage of income earned for each dollar invested, calculated as: (income ÷ cost of investment) × 100	680 % Over 10 years

References:

Drought-resilient Urochloa forage for year-round livestock feeding_CostRevenueROI_Date.pdf (PDF, 60.43 KB)

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Countries where the technology is being tested or has been tested and adopted
Country	Testing ongoing	Tested	Adopted
Ethiopia	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted
Kenya	–No ongoing testing	–Not tested	Adopted

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones. Any zones shown in white are not suitable for this technology.

Agro-ecological zones where this technology can be used
AEZ	Subtropic - warm	Subtropic - cool	Tropic - warm	Tropic - cool
Arid	–	–	–	–
Semiarid	–	–	–	–
Subhumid		–		–
Humid		–		–

Source: HarvestChoice/IFPRI 2009

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that are applicable to this technology.

Goal 1: no poverty

Increased livestock productivity; increased incomes; income diversification

Goal 2: zero hunger

More animal source food (meat, milk) is available for humans

Goal 5: gender equality

Creates opportunities for women and youth to participate in forage seed and forage value chains, while also reducing labor demands, especially for women.

Goal 13: climate action

Increases animal stocking rates and reduces environmental footprint per unit product (emission reductions, land sparing, carbon sequestration)

Seedbed Preparation: Prepare a fine seedbed to ensure optimal establishment of Megathyrsus maximus cultivars.
Planting: Sow seeds at 3 kg/ha or use seedlings/splits for establishment.
Fertilization and Weed Control: Apply fertilizers or organic manure to boost growth and control weeds during the first weeks after planting.
Harvesting and Grazing: Begin harvesting or grazing 90 days after planting, leaving 10–15 cm stubble to allow regrowth; repeat cutting or grazing every 6–8 weeks to maintain high-quality forage.

Downloads

6WktZBnHwDNvWHgdgLrTnixVcJopJXXTFmZzVZxR.pdf (PDF, 1.25 MB)
KQJnEFcRpNo0mw4feTipG4FpaGxsS192q7CClGSg.pdf (PDF, 1.48 MB)

Last updated on 25 March 2026

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)
Solomon Mwendia

Commodities

Forage grasses

Sustainable Development Goals Details ›

+ 1 more

Value chain step

Production

Tested/adopted in Details ›

Countries with a green colour: Tested & adopted
Countries with a bright green colour: Adopted
Countries with a yellow colour: Tested
Countries with a blue colour: Testing ongoing

Where it can be used Details ›

This technology can be used in the colored agro-ecological zones.

Target groups