Urochloa hybrid adoption in Latin America and the Caribbean 2001–2024: An analysis of the land use, social, economic, and environmental impacts in 27 countries

Sustainable intensification of tropical cattle production is essential to meet growing demand for animal-sourced foods while reducing environmental degradation. Improved interspecific Urochloa (syn. Brachiaria ) hybrids have been promoted as a key innovation to increase forage productivity and resource-use efficiency, yet their large-scale adoption and impacts across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) remain poorly quantified. Methods This study assessed the adoption and multidimensional impacts of interspecific Urochloa hybrids across 27 LAC countries from 2001 to 2024. Estimates were derived by integrating commercial seed sales data, national statistics, published literature, and Monte Carlo simulations to quantify adoption, economic benefits, greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation, and land-use implications under different adoption scenarios. An estimated 1.09 million farmers adopted Urochloa hybrids on a cumulative 1.62 million ha established between 2001 and 2024, with approximately 1.07 million ha remaining active in 2024 assuming a 10-year pasture lifespan. Adoption reached an estimated 7.49 million people through direct and indirect associations. By 2033, cumulative gross forage value is projected at US$47–62 billion. Scenario analyses indicate potential reductions of 16.9–56.3 Mt CO2-eq in GHG emissions and land savings of 1.8–5.9 million ha to achieve equivalent liveweight gain, with the greatest environmental benefits occurring when hybrids are integrated into silvopastoral systems. Despite substantial economic and environmental benefits, adoption remains low relative to the total tropical grassland area due to persistent constraints in seed systems, limited access to knowledge and extension, and policy barriers. Expanding the use of Urochloa hybrids could substantially enhance the sustainability of tropical livestock systems by simultaneously improving productivity, reducing emissions, and limiting land expansion. Scaling these benefits will require coordinated investments in seed systems, inclusive financing, extension services, and enabling policy frameworks.