News in Brief:
– The Federal Government of Nigeria has released two new chicken breeds and 14 high-yield crop varieties to boost agricultural productivity and food security.
– This move is expected to increase food production, improve the nutritional quality of food, and enhance food security for Nigerians.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken a significant step towards enhancing agricultural production and food security by releasing two new chicken breeds and 14 high-yield crop varieties.
The announcement was made recently during the 34th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries.
The newly released chicken breeds include the locally developed dual-purpose noiler and meat-type Cobb 500. Also, the coming high-yield crop varieties are wheat, barley, maize, cassava, rice, and castor.
The registration and release of these new breeds and varieties were based on the recommendations of two technical sub-committees chaired by Prof. S. Ado and Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan.
Improving food security and nutrition
The introduction of these new breeds and varieties is expected to increase agricultural productivity, improve the nutritional quality of food and enhance food security for Nigerians.
Nigeria has a long history of releasing improved crop and animal varieties to the public. Some notable examples include:
Crop Varieties:
- Maize: The Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has developed several high-yielding maize varieties, such as Sammaz 14, Sammaz 18, and Sammaz 26. These varieties are resistant to diseases and pests, and they have significantly increased maize production in Nigeria.
- Rice: The National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, has developed several high-yielding rice varieties, such as FARO 44, FARO 52, and FARO 58. These varieties are resistant to diseases and pests, and they have significantly increased rice production in Nigeria.
- Cassava: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has developed several high-yielding cassava varieties, such as TMS 30572 and TMS 419. These varieties are resistant to diseases and pests, and they have significantly increased cassava production in Nigeria.
- Soybean: The IAR has developed several high-yielding soybean varieties, such as TGx 1448-2E and TGx 1950-2F. These varieties are resistant to diseases and pests, and they have significantly increased soybean production in Nigeria.
Animal Breeds:
- Cattle: The National Livestock Production Research Institute (NLPRI), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has developed several improved cattle breeds, such as the White Fulani and the Sokoto Gudali. These breeds are more productive than traditional breeds, and they are resistant to diseases and pests.
- Sheep: The NLPRI has also developed several improved sheep breeds, such as the Uda and the Balami. These breeds are more productive than traditional breeds, and they are resistant to diseases and pests.
- Goats: The NLPRI has also developed several improved goat breeds, such as the Sahel and the Yankasa. These breeds are more productive than traditional breeds, and they are resistant to diseases and pests.
The release of these improved crop and animal varieties has had a significant impact on agricultural production in Nigeria. These varieties have helped to increase food production while improving food security.
