By Kingsley Benson
The federal government has introduced a new chicken breed (Moorbeta) and approved 57 crop varieties to boost food production, strengthen food security and improve nutrition.
Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ recent meeting in Ibadan, noting the approvals followed rigorous evaluation by technical sub-committees.
“The government has introduced a newly developed chicken breed and 57 crop varieties to boost meat availability, enhance food security and improve Nigerians’ nutritional well-being,” he said.
Olufajo explained that the Moorbeta breed is designed to perform optimally under Nigeria’s climate, with high body weight at 10 weeks and strong heat tolerance. The crop varieties, spanning 14 staples including rice, maize, yam, soybean, tomato and cowpea, were selected for early maturity, higher yields and resistance to pests, diseases and variable weather.
He urged farmers to adopt the innovations, while extension agents were tasked with ensuring widespread awareness.
Several of the varieties were developed in collaboration with institutions such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the National Horticultural Research Institute, reflecting efforts to strengthen agricultural research and productivity.
The intervention builds on earlier measures. In November 2024, two chicken breeds, Noiler and Cobb 500, alongside 14 crop varieties were introduced. In June 2025, 15 hybrid varieties including Faro 64 and Faro 65 rice were approved.
The urgency is underscored by projections that up to 34.7 million Nigerians could face acute food insecurity in 2026, according to a PwC Nigeria Economic Outlook report.
With continued initiatives, including the 2025 Livestock Development Policy and agricultural education reforms, the government is positioning improved inputs and innovation as central to addressing Nigeria’s food security challenge.
