The Alternative Bank, in collaboration with Plateau State University (PLASU), has unveiled a breakthrough in livestock feed development through the successful cultivation of Alfalfa, a high-protein forage crop now thriving under trial conditions in Plateau State.
This initiative, funded under the bank’s Corporate Social Investment programme and formally handed over to the university in May 2025, is being positioned as a transformative solution for Nigeria’s livestock sector, with the potential to significantly boost animal productivity, reduce feed costs, and address the persistent farmer-herder conflict through improved access to sustainable feed alternatives.
At PLASU’s Green Field Day on Alfalfa Adaptability and Performance Trials, held at the university’s Faculty of Agriculture Research Plot in Bokkos, stakeholders across research, policy, agriculture, and development converged to witness the early results.
The trials have shown impressive outcomes, with germination rates surpassing 85 per cent in just two weeks and plants reaching heights of 66.5 cm within 13 weeks, an indication that the crop is highly compatible with Plateau’s climate and soil conditions.
These findings place Alfalfa within global performance standards, with biomass yields projected at 18 to 20 tons per hectare annually under rain-fed conditions, and with protein content expected to match international benchmarks.
Associate Professor Hosea Istifanus Finangwai, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and lead researcher on the project, emphasised the crop’s viability for Nigeria’s dairy and beef industries.
He noted that the success of Alfalfa in local conditions opens new pathways for strengthening ruminant nutrition and establishing a more resilient livestock feed system across the country.
Speaking at the event on behalf of The Alternative Bank, Ugonwa Ikegwuonu, Head of Agric Finance, relayed the remarks of CEO Hassan Yusuf, who hailed the trials as a major milestone for Nigeria’s agricultural future.
He stressed that the initiative is not only a scientific success but also a model of effective collaboration between academia and the financial sector.
The project, he said, reflects the bank’s broader commitment to investing in regenerative agriculture, non-interest financial solutions, and university-driven innovations with commercial and social impact.
Vice-Chancellor of PLASU, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, represented by Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Administration, praised The Alternative Bank for its vision and partnership.
He highlighted the project’s role in positioning the university as a national leader in agricultural innovation, while providing students with practical exposure, entrepreneurial insights, and new opportunities in agribusiness.
Members of the herder community present at the field day expressed their appreciation for being included in the initiative, pledging their support and participation.
In a strong show of state-level backing, the Plateau State Government, represented by Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Sunday Akpa, commended the collaborative effort and announced plans to expand the project across all 17 local government areas.
The commissioner emphasised the strategic importance of the Alfalfa trials in unlocking the full potential of the livestock value chain, enhancing rural livelihoods, and reinforcing the state’s food security objectives.
This Alfalfa project forms part of The Alternative Bank’s broader strategy to support sustainable, inclusive agricultural systems by funding research-backed innovations with real-world impact.
By championing science-driven solutions and strengthening the link between academic research and practical agriculture, the bank is helping to lay the foundation for a more resilient and prosperous livestock sector in Nigeria.
