Nigeria Introduces New Chicken Breed, 57 Crop Varieties to Boost Food Security
Nigeria Introduces New Chicken Breed, 57 Crop Varieties to Boost Food Security
Nigeria Introduces New Chicken Breed, 57 Crop Varieties to Boost Food Security
The Federal Government has unveiled a newly developed chicken breed, Moorbeta, alongside 57 high-yield crop varieties to enhance meat availability, strengthen food security, and improve the nutritional well-being of Nigerians. The announcement was made on Thursday in Ibadan during the 36th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds, and Fisheries.
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The event, organised by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, was presided over by the Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo. He explained that the release of the new chicken breed and the 57 crop varieties, spanning 14 crops, followed recommendations from the committee’s technical sub-committees.
Prof. Olufajo advised farmers to take advantage of the improved seeds and adapted materials, noting that the initiatives would significantly boost agricultural production across the country. He also called on agricultural extension agents to keep farmers informed about the new developments, urging research institutes, breeders, geneticists, and other stakeholders to continue advancing Nigeria’s agricultural growth.
The newly released chicken breed, Moorbeta, is a locally developed meat-type bird with high body weight at 10 weeks, superior carcass characteristics, and heat stress tolerance. Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, chair of the livestock breeds/fisheries sub-committee, highlighted the breed’s potential for mass production and commended geneticists and breeders who contributed to its development.
The 57 newly approved crop varieties include soyabean, yam, potato, onion, tomato, rice, pepper, eggplant, Musa spp., cotton, maize, groundnut, sorghum, and cowpea. Notably, four Musa spp. varieties—two plantains and two bananas—were developed by the National Horticultural Research Institute.
Prof. Shehu Ado, chair of the crop varieties sub-committee, confirmed that 57 out of 59 submissions were approved and presented to the NVRC for final authorization.
The new initiatives are expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to meet growing food demands while promoting local innovation in agriculture. The chicken breed was developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, reflecting the country’s commitment to producing resilient, high-yield livestock and crops suitable for local conditions.
Nigeria Introduces New Chicken Breed, 57 Crop Varieties to Boost Food Security
