Nigerian government has unveiled a new chicken breed, 'Moorbeta', and 57 crop varieties to boost meat availability and enhance food security. The new chicken breed is a locally developed meat-type chicken with high body weight at 10 weeks and good carcass characteristics. It was bred by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) in Ibadan and released based on its unique characteristics.
The 57 crop varieties include soyabean, yam, potato, onion, tomato, rice, pepper, eggplant, Musa spp, cotton, maize, groundnut, sorghum, and cowpea. The new crop varieties were developed to improve food production in the country. Experts say the registration and release of the new chicken breed and crop varieties would have a significant impact on food production in Nigeria.
The National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries announced the new developments in Ibadan on Thursday at its 36th meeting. The meeting was presided over by the Chairman, National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo.
The introduction of the new chicken breed and crop varieties is a welcome development for Nigerian farmers and consumers. However, the success of these initiatives depends on the availability of improved seeds and adapted materials. The government must ensure that farmers have access to these resources to take full advantage of the new developments. The release of the new chicken breed and crop varieties is a step in the right direction, but it is essential to monitor their impact on food production and availability in the country.
