Improving livestock nutrition through Napier grass training

Smallholder cattle farmers in Bangladesh rely heavily on Napier grass, yet common management practices often result in poor feed quality, limiting livestock productivity and household nutrition. Charles Sturt University contributed expertise to address this challenge by translating research into applied training across three regions of Bangladesh. This was supported by the Crawford Fund and now the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Led by Professor Cameron Clark, Charles Sturt designed evidence-driven training focused on improving Napier grass management through adjustments to sowing density and harvest frequency. The program drew directly on joint research findings showing a doubling of animal sourced protein.

By translating agricultural research into practical feed base management knowledge, this work supports sustainable food production systems, strengthens resilience to climate variability and improves the productivity of smallholder livestock producers, contributing to more reliable access to nutrition in surrounding communities.