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From Chukwuma Umeorah
The Alternative Bank has partnered with Plateau State University (PLASU) to support trials of Alfalfa, a high-protein forage crop, as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The initiative, handed over to the university in May 2025 under the Bank’s Corporate Social Investment programme, was showcased during the Green Field Day on Alfalfa Adaptability and Performance Trials held at the Faculty of Agriculture Research Plot in Bokkos, Plateau State.
Presenting the preliminary findings, Associate Professor Hosea Finangwai, Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at PLASU and leader of the research team, disclosed that germination rates exceeded 85 per cent within two weeks. He added that the crop, which reached heights of 66.5 centimetres in 13 weeks, adapted well to local soils and weather conditions. Projected biomass yields were estimated at between 18 and 20 tons per hectare annually under rain-fed conditions, aligning with global benchmarks for ruminant feed.
Chief Executive Officer of The Alternative Bank, Hassan Yusuf, described the results as a major step forward for the livestock industry.
“This is a breakthrough moment. Alfalfa can redefine livestock farming and secure Nigeria’s food future,” Yusuf stated.
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He further stressed that the collaboration underscored how academic institutions and financial organisations can jointly deliver sustainable agricultural solutions.
Vice-Chancellor of PLASU, Professor Shedrack Gaya Best, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Associate Professor Keziah Ayuba, commended the Bank for its support. He noted that the project had positioned the university as a centre for agricultural innovation while equipping students with field experience and entrepreneurial exposure.
The Plateau State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Dr. Sunday Akpa, pledged to expand the project across all 17 local government areas of the state to unlock the potential of the livestock value chain. The herders’ community also expressed appreciation and pledged their support for the initiative.
The bank stated that the Alfalfa project formed part of its wider strategy to promote agricultural value chains and research-driven innovations, in line with its non-interest banking model and commitment to sustainable development.
