Bajra or pearl millets is grown for grain as well as for fodder purpose whereas Napier or elephant grass is mainly cultivated as forage crop. Napier-bajra is hybridization between bajra and elephant grass. This hybrid increases number of tillers thus yield, quality of forage also minimize risk of becoming weed in case of Napier. After plantation, it give yield continuously upto 2-3 years.

In Himachal Pradesh, it is sown in the areas at the height of 1500m. In irrigated conditions, green fodder is obtained from April-October.

It can cultivate on various soil but gives best result when grown on heavy soils having high nutrient fertility. It is tolerant to mild salinity. Avoid water logged soils for cultivation of napier bajra hybrid.

IGFRI-5: This variety is suitable for sowing rainfed and irrigated conditions in low mountainous areas (less than 800m height). This is long and fast growing variety. The variety is ready in 60 days after sowing. In rainfed areas, 3-4 harvestings is done. It contains 6.35% protein content and 2.8% oxalate content. It gives an average yield of 476qtl/acre of green fodder and 155qtl/acre of dry grass.

NB-37: It is a dwarf variety which is suitable for sowing in sub-tropical mountainous areas. It is tolerant to drought and it contains 9-10% protein content and 2-3% oxalate content.

NB-21: It is fast growing variety. It has thin stem, long leaves, thin and shiny.

Other States Variety

PNB 233: Hybrids having smooth broad and long leaves. Gives average yield of 1100quintals/acre.

PNB 83:  Fast growing, late flowering hybrid. Gives average yield of 961quintals/acre of green fodders.

CO 3, Pusa Giant Napier, Gajraj, NB-5, NB-6, NB-21 and NB-35

Plough land once by mould board lough and then does harrowing for two times to bring soil to fine tilth. After ploughing, do planking to make soil levelled. Make ridges and furrows at distance of 60cm.

Time of sowing
It is sown in the March month or in the start of the monsoon.

Spacing
For good growth and yield spacing of 90 x 40cm or 60cm x 60cm is recommended.

Sowing Depth
Stem cutting are sown at depth of 7-8cm in furrow.

Method of sowing
Direct sowing of stem or root slips. Ratoons are lay down like sugarcane in the soil.

Seed Rate
Seeds of napier bajra are very small so for commercial planting it is propagated vegetative with help of stem cuttings (having two- three nodes) or root slips (approximately 30cm long). For planting one acre use 11,250 slips or stem cuttings.

Fertilizer Requirement (kg/acre)

Nutrient Requirement (kg/acre)

Add fertilizer dose of nitrogen @27kg/acre in the form of urea@60kg/acre and phosphorus @40kg/acre in the form of SSP@250kg/acre at the time of sowing. After every harvesting, nitrogen dose of 15kg/acre is added.

Apply irrigation during summer month or hot and dry months depending upon soil type and climate conditions.

To control weeds, do intercropping with suitable legumes. Intercropping enriches soils; also provide nutritional fodder to cattle’s also take care of weeds.

First harvesting is done after 2 months of sowing and then further harvesting is done after every 40 days. After first cutting, when crop height becomes one meter, take second cutting. Do not allow to grow crop for more than 2 meter as it will leads in decreased in nutritional value of fodder. Such fodder is heavy for digestion.