The federal government has introduced a newly developed chicken breed and 57 crop varieties to boost meat availability and enhance food security in Nigeria. The new chicken breed, known as 'Moorbeta', was developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training in Ibadan. It boasts high body weight at 10 weeks, good carcass characteristics, and tolerance to heat stress.
The 57 crop varieties cover 14 different crops, including soyabean, yam, potato, onion, tomato, rice, pepper, eggplant, Musa spp, cotton, maize, groundnut, sorghum, and cowpea. These new varieties are expected to have a significant impact on food production in the country.
The chairman of the National Variety Release Committee, Soji Olufajo, called on farmers to take advantage of the opportunity by obtaining improved seeds and adapted materials. He also urged agricultural extension agents to inform farmers about the new developments and upcoming initiatives to boost production.
The new crop varieties were released and registered based on recommendations from the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology. The varieties were developed by various research institutes and breeding centres across the country.
The federal government's introduction of a new chicken breed and 57 crop varieties is a welcome development for Nigeria's agricultural sector. However, the success of these initiatives will depend on the ability of farmers to access the new materials and technologies. The government must ensure that agricultural extension agents are equipped to provide farmers with the necessary support and information to take advantage of these opportunities. The release of these new crop varieties and the chicken breed is a step in the right direction, but it is crucial that the government follows through with concrete policies to support farmers and improve food production in the country. The impact of these initiatives will be felt particularly by small-scale farmers who are the backbone of Nigeria's agricultural sector.
