Nigeria Introduces New Biofortified Crop Standards to Boost Nutrition

In a move to enhance food security and combat micronutrient deficiencies, Nigeria has introduced two new standards for the release of biofortified crops. Spearheaded by HarvestPlus in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the National Varietal Release Committee (NVRC), and other key stakeholders, these standards aim to ensure that biofortified […]

In a move to enhance food security and combat micronutrient deficiencies, Nigeria has introduced two new standards for the release of biofortified crops.

Spearheaded by HarvestPlus in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the National Varietal Release Committee (NVRC), and other key stakeholders, these standards aim to ensure that biofortified crops meet rigorous nutritional and agronomic requirements.

The newly established guidelines include: Minimum Requirements for Registration and Release of Biofortified Provitamin A and Non-Provitamin A Maize Varieties – This standard ensures that only maize varieties meeting specific nutritional and agronomic benchmarks are approved for farmers. Additional Requirements for Pearl Millet Variety Registration and Release – This provides a structured framework for the approval and distribution of pearl millet varieties.

These standards will serve as crucial reference materials for breeders, crop developers, seed companies, the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), academia, and policymakers. The move aligns with Nigeria’s commitment to enhancing food security and improving nutrition nationwide.

During the launch event, Country Manager of HarvestPlus Nigeria, Dr Yusuf Dollah Fouad highlighted the importance of the new standards, stating, “These guidelines will ensure that biofortified crops maintain essential micronutrient levels to deliver meaningful health benefits to consumers.”

Similarly, Dr. Jonathan Alegbe, Deputy Director of the Maize Value Chain at FMAFS, stressed, “Provitamin A Maize is crucial in advancing food and nutrition security in Nigeria. The establishment of these standards reflects the government’s commitment to both agricultural productivity and nutritional value.”

National Chairman of the NVRC, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, emphasized, “These standards introduce clarity and uniformity in biofortified maize production. They will prevent the mislabeling of maize varieties with varying beta-carotene levels as Provitamin A maize.”

With these new regulations in place, Nigeria is set to strengthen its biofortification efforts, ensuring that farmers and consumers alike benefit from more nutritious, high-quality crops.