Napier Stunt Disease (NSD) causes lots of economic losses toNapier grass production in the East African Region and poses a great threat tolivestock production. The NSD causes a reduction in Napier grass fodder yieldby up to 60%.  The NSD incidence is high,estimated to be between 5% - 80%. Therefore, there is a need to developresistant Napier varieties as a means of mitigating the disease impact in thelivestock sector and the regional economy in general. In Kenya, high yieldingand stunt tolerant clones have been identified. These include MMS 3B9 (K33), BTR3A1 (K72), MM2A5 (K38) and BGM1B28 (K75). Similarly, in Tanzania, clones thatwere high yielding and tolerant to stunt were identified as T4, T21 and T26.These Napier grass clones are critical for the management of the NSD.

The primary targets of these technologies are the medium and small-scaledairy farmers in East and Central Africa located within the hotspot areas wherethe stunting disease is prevalent. These technologies have undergone fieldtesting in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. NSD occurs in Tanzania, Uganda andKenya, but not in Ethiopia. The disease is spreading fast, and is threateningthe livestock industry in the region. The rapid spread of NSD can be attributedto the fact that farmers lack the necessary knowledge and tools to manage it.Farmers need to be sensitized and trained on how to manage the disease in orderto avoid further spread, and minimize its impact on the dairy industry.Multiplication sites where farmers can obtain clean planting materials shouldalso be established. This is important in terms of addressing the currentshortage of planting materials in the region.

Napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) is the major livestock feed for most dairy farmers in Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda. Being quite affordable and easy to propagate, its likelyadoption will increase livestock production and smallholder household incomes. TheNapier clones have the potential to control NSD and boost Napier production. Tosupport future adoption and scaling up of these technologies, focus should bedirected towards raising awareness and training farmers about NSD and toolsrequired for its management. Establishment of multiplication sites where cleanseed/planting can be distributed to farmers will go a long way in promotingwider uptake of the technology.

The NSD is a devastating disease that can cause a reduction inNapier grass fodder yield by up to 60%. The improved clones can mitigate the effectsof the disease thereby improving productivity of the fodder, which translatesto improved milk yields, household incomes, food security and nutrition. Besides,surplus Napier can be sold to generate extra revenue. With the rapidlyincreasing population and subdivision of land, and decrease in farm size manyfarmers are changing to zero grazing, which requires large quantities of fodderthat Napier can provide since it has potential yields of about 50-100 tons ofgreen matter per hectare per year.

The NSD tolerant varieties and theassociated management practices are gender neutral and intended to benefit allmembers of the community, including vulnerable and marginalized groups. The technologiesparticularly addresses the challenges of feed faced by women farmers, whoconstitute a majority of small-scale livestock farmers. The common criteriaused by both male and female farmers to select the Napier clones mainlyincluded disease tolerance, broad leaves, many tillers, high yields, not hairy(smooth), growth vigour, bulkiness and dark green colour.

Margaret Mulaa;

Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Kitale;

P.O. Box 450-30200;

Kitale, Kenya.

Tel: +254-20-3509161

Mob: +254(0)722382769

Email: margaretmulaa@yahoo.com

Jolly Kabirizi;

Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P.O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Tel: +256 45448360

Mob: +256-777912716

Email: jmkabirizi@gmail.com

Beatrice Pallangyo;

Ministry of Agriculture Food security and Cooperatives;

P.O. Box 9071;

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mob: +255-232402729

Email: beatricepallangyo@yahoo.com

Hanson, J;

Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI),

P.O. Box 5689;

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Mob: +251-116460294;

Email: j.hanson@cgiar.org

Janice Proud;

Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)-AddisAbaba,

P.O. Box 5689;

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Email: j.proud@cgiar.org

Erasmus Mukibi;

Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P.O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Tel: +256 45448360

Mob: +256-782-698493

Email: mukiibies@yahoo.com

Claude Maeda;

Scientist, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

P.O. Box 30031;

Kibaha, Tanzania.

Tel: +255 22 2700092

Fax: +255 22 2775021

Email: c.maeda@cgiar.org

Bramwel Wanjala;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO)

P.O. Box 14733-00800;

Nairobi, Kenya.

Tel: +254-20-2719933/4

Fax: 254-20-2719951

Email: bramwelwanjala@yahoo.com

Awalla, B.J;

Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Kitale

P.O. Box 450-30200;

Kitale, Kenya.

Tel: +254-54201079

Fax: +254-54-30378

Clementine Namazzi;

Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);

P.O. Box 96;

Tororo, Uganda.

Tel: +256 45448360

Email: cserrubiri@yahoo.com

Mulaa, M., Kabirizi, J., Pallangyo, B., Hanson, J., Proud, J.,Mukibi, E., Maeda, C., Wanjala, B., Awalla, B.J. and Namazzi, C. 2012.Diversity, biomass and resistance to stunt in Napier grass clones in East andCentral Africa Region (In press).

Mulaa, M. and Ajanga, S. 2004. Report on A survey to collect andidentify potential vectors of Napier grass stunting disease associated withphytoplasma in Western Kenya. KARI Kitale Annual Report