Researchers at Namulonge Agricultural and Animal Research Institute (NAARI) have warned that elephant grass (Pennisetun purpureum) also commonly known as Napier grass, faces extinction due to attack by a strange disease.
Researchers recently ventured into finding out the causes of the new disease, which has led to rapid drying of the elephant grass.
Dr. Twaha Kalule, an entomologist and Jolly Kabirizi, a forage scientist, who have been researching on the issue for a number of years, say the grass is an important source of feed for animals countrywide.
"It is particularly crucial to the dairy cattle belts around the Lake Victoria basin and in eastern Africa. Napier grass has been an important fodder crop for the last 60 years," Kabirizi said.
As a result of its dry matter production, Napier grass has become virtually indispensable in livestock production systems such as the zero-grazing systems.
Kabirizi said the grass forms the basic fodder ration for animals.
Besides its use in zero-grazing systems, Napier grass can be used on terraces and dams as a means of soil erosion control.
In Kapchorwa, for example, vigorous campaigns are being undertaken to sensitise and encourage farmers to take on Napier grass cultivation both for animal fodder and as a measure to control soil erosion, Kabirizi said.
Other uses include mulching banana gardens, a practice commonly in central Uganda and thatching huts.
Recently Napier grass has been identified as an important tool in the integrated management of stem borers of maize in Uganda due to its importance as a trap crop.
