The Federal Government (FG) has introduced a newly developed chicken breed and 57 crop varieties to boost meat availability, enhance food security and improve Nigerians’ nutritional well-being.
This was announced in Ibadan on Thursday at the 36th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries.
The meeting, organised by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), was presided over by the Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo.
Olufajo explained that the registration and release of the new chicken breed and the 57 high-yield varieties from 14 crops were based on the recommendations of its two technical sub-committees.
He said the new chicken breed and crop varieties would have a significant impact on food production in the country, advising farmers to take advantage of the opportunity by obtaining improved seeds and adapted materials.
Olufajo called on agricultural extension agents to ensure that farmers are aware of new developments that can enhance production.
He also urged research institutes, breeders, geneticists and other stakeholders to continue efforts that would boost the growth and development of agriculture in Nigeria.
According to him, the new chicken breed is ‘Moorbeta’, while the crops include soyabean, yam, potato, onion, tomato, rice, pepper, eggplant, Musa spp., cotton, maize, groundnut, sorghum and cowpea.
Meanwhile, the technical sub-committee on naming, registration and release of crop varieties, chaired by Prof. Shehu Ado, deliberated on 59 varieties during its 40th meeting on Tuesday.
After deliberation, the sub-committee recommended 57 varieties, which were presented to the NVRC for final approval at Thursday’s meeting.
Similarly, the technical sub-committee on naming, registration and release of livestock breeds and fisheries, during its 10th meeting on Wednesday, considered the only new chicken breed submitted.
The sub-committee, chaired by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, stated that ‘Moorbeta’ is a locally developed meat-type chicken.
He said the breed would be mass-produced due to its strong potential.
Akin-Hassan noted that efforts to improve the performance of Nigeria’s indigenous chicken had been ongoing for a long time.
He commended animal geneticists and breeders who contributed to the development, describing the new breed as a mid-class type.
The sub-committee subsequently forwarded its recommendations to the NVRC for final approval.
The new chicken was developed by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Ibadan.
It was released and registered based on its high body weight at 10 weeks, good carcass characteristics and tolerance to heat stress.
Among the newly released high-yield crop varieties are four Musa spp. varieties—two plantains and two bananas—from the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Ibadan.
The plantain varieties are HORTIPLAN 1 and 2, while the banana varieties are HORTIBAN 1 and 2.
HORTIPLAN 1 and 2 were released for their heavy bunches, yellow pulp, suitability for boiling, frying, roasting and flour-making, long shelf life and high carotenoid content.
HORTIBAN 1 and 2 were approved for their sweet taste, thick peel, large pulp and intermediate bract apex shape.
Also, one soyabean variety (YSJ001), developed by YSJ Limited and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, was released for its good pod clearance, high protein content and disease tolerance.
Two yam varieties (UMUDr37 and UMUDr38), sponsored by the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia, in collaboration with IITA, were also approved.
They were selected for early maturity, good pounding quality and excellent boiling quality.
One potato variety (Connect) from NRCRI was released for its large tubers, resistance to late blight and suitability for consumption.
Six onion varieties—HORTIONI 1, 2 and 3 (dry season) and HORTIONI 4, 5 and 6 (wet season)—from NIHORT were also approved for their high pungency, large bulb size and disease resistance.
Five tomato varieties—HORTITOM 6 and 7, and SP TOM 1, 2 and 3—from NIHORT were released for their heat tolerance, early maturity, disease resistance and adaptability to both dry and rainy conditions.
The five rice varieties released include FARO 73, SG Rice 1 and 2, and MIP 5803 and 4802.
They were developed by the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger, the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Abuja, and other partners.
The NVRC approved the rice varieties for their long, slender grains, good tillering and drought tolerance.
The committee also approved one pepper variety (SP PEP 1) and three eggplant varieties (HORTICUM 1, 2 and 3), all from NIHORT.
These were selected for early maturity, high vitamin C content and other desirable traits.
Other approved crop varieties include 15 maize varieties, four groundnut varieties, one sorghum proprietary variety, four cowpea public varieties and six proprietary cotton varieties.
The meeting was held at the conference hall of the Lafia Hotel, Ibadan, and was attended by agricultural researchers, geneticists, scientists and breeders from research institutes and universities.
