Adoption of Urochloa hybrid forages is improving livestock productivity, enhancing pasture quality, and raising incomes for 42,420 livestock producers across 9,469 hectares in four countries — Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Viet Nam. Developed through a public-private partnership between CIAT and Grupo Papalotla and first cultivated in 2001, Urochloa hybrids now cover 1.8 million hectares across 70 countries. Progress under the Sustainable Animal Productivity Initiative accelerated uptake of the hybrids in several countries, which enhanced food security, climate resilience, and environmental co-benefits.
The growing global demand for animal-sourced foods places significant pressure on livestock systems, particularly in tropical regions where climate change, land degradation, and poor feed quality limit productivity. Addressing these challenges requires practical, science-driven solutions that enhance livestock productivity while reducing its environmental impact.
One feed solution is improved forage technologies, such as Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria) hybrids, which were co-developed by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and Grupo Papalotla. Since the release of the first Urochloa hybrid, Mulato, in 2001, these forages have provided livestock farmers with more resilient and higher-quality pasture options. Today, more than 1.8 million hectares of Urochloa hybrid pastures have been established across 70 countries, benefiting over 1.6 million farmers and over 11 million farm household members.
The highest adoption rates have been in Latin America, covering 92 percent of the total planted area. The greatest impact has been on smallholder rural farming communities, which make up 74 percent of all adopters (over 1.1 million people). By overcoming feed shortages and improving cattle health, these farmers are able to sustain more animals, increase their milk and meat production, and boost their household incomes. Moreover, while only 16 percent of adopters have been women, their participation in Urochloa-based farming systems has led to their greater economic independence and decision-making power within households.
“Before, we did not use grasses like these; we managed with whatever was available. Today, when we look at the productivity of the grasses, there is a positive change. We used to have very little production, with just 4 liters of milk per day to sell. That went up to 11 liters. Today we have reached 130 liters.” – Patricia Ulloa, a beef and dairy farmer in Patía, Cauca, Colombia.
The adoption of Urochloa hybrids has also contributed to improved food security in local communities. More productive livestock systems mean a higher supply of milk and meat, helping to combat malnutrition, particularly in food-insecure regions.
The CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity has supported the scaling of Urochloa hybrid forages across 9,468 hectares, directly benefiting 42,420 livestock producers, including 9,940 women, and reaching an estimated 179,904 farm household members in 4 countries.
In addition to productivity gains, Urochloa hybrids are helping reduce the environmental footprint of livestock production. These forages help reduce soil erosion and improve carbon sequestration and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In Latin America alone, Urochloa adoption is estimated to have helped avoid about 23 to 54 megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. Moreover, because Urochloa hybrids increase pasture productivity, farmers can produce more livestock products on the same land area, reducing pressure for deforestation and land conversion.
The economic value of Urochloa hybrid forages adopted by 2023 is estimated to exceed USD 11 billion. This projection accounts for the expected benefits over a 10-year forage lifespan, meaning that grasses sown in 2023 will continue generating economic gains until 2032. Likewise, past plantings, such as those from 2017, will yield benefits until their productive cycle ends next year. The benefits extend across the livestock value chain, generating employment for farm workers, seed producers, and distributors while expanding market opportunities for input suppliers.
Building on this momentum, efforts supported by CGIAR’s Sustainable Animal Productivity Initiative strengthened local seed markets and expanded technical support networks, laying the groundwork for more widespread adoption and long-term sustainability.
In East Africa alone, the potential exists to scale adoption on 400,000 additional hectares, creating an annual market worth more than USD 70 million. Increasing adoption in this and other regions, however, will require investments in seed systems, research, and farmer training. Strengthening partnerships between public and private actors will likewise be key to improving seed distribution networks and technical support services.
Header image: Farmer leads his sheep and goat to market, Menz, Ethiopia. Photo by ILRI\Zerihun Sewunet.