The federal government has unveiled a new chicken breed and 57 high-yield crop varieties to enhance food production in Nigeria. The announcement was made at a meeting in Ibadan, where experts discussed the registration and release of the new chicken breed and crop varieties. Soji Olufajo, chairman of the National Variety Release Committee, said the new chicken breed and crop varieties would have a significant impact on food production in the country. The new chicken breed, called 'Moorbeta', was developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training in Ibadan and is known for its high body weight and tolerance to heat stress.
The new crop varieties include four Musa species from the National Horticultural Research Institute in Ibadan. These varieties are HORTIPLAN 1 and 2, which are plantains, and HORTIBAN 1 and 2, which are bananas. The plantains were released based on their heavy bunches and high carotenoid content, while the bananas were released for their good sweet taste and thick peel.
The 57 crop varieties were recommended by a technical sub-committee chaired by Shehu Ado, a professor. The sub-committee considered 59 submissions before recommending the 57 varieties for final approval.
The introduction of the new chicken breed and crop varieties is a welcome development for Nigeria's agricultural sector. However, the success of these new varieties will depend on the ability of farmers to access improved seeds and adapted materials. The government must ensure that agricultural extension agents are equipped to provide farmers with the necessary support and guidance to adopt these new varieties. The impact of these new varieties on food production and prices will be closely watched by Nigerians, who are eager to see an improvement in their nutritional well-being. The government's efforts to boost agricultural production are commendable, but more needs to be done to address the challenges facing farmers and ensure that the benefits of these new varieties are shared by all.
