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 farmers-herders 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 yearly under rain-fed conditions, and with protein content expected to match international benchmarks.

The Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and lead researcher on the project, Associate Professor Hosea Istifanus Finangwai, 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 on behalf of the 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.
 
The Vice-Chancellor of PLASU, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, represented by Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba, who is the 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.

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 councils .

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.