The Federal Government has introduced a newly developed chicken breed alongside 57 improved crop varieties as part of a nationwide strategy to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food availability, and improve nutrition for Nigerians.
The announcement was made by the Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Professor Soji Olufajo, during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ibadan, where he confirmed that the new livestock and crop innovations had successfully passed technical evaluation and approval processes.
Brandspur Agriculture News Desk reports that the newly approved poultry breed, named Moorbeta, has been specifically developed to thrive in Nigeria’s climatic conditions, offering improved growth rates, higher body weight within a shorter period, and increased tolerance to heat stress.
In addition to the poultry development, the NVRC approved 57 crop varieties spanning 14 major food crops, including rice, maize, yam, soybean, tomato, onion, pepper, plantain, banana, groundnut, sorghum, and cowpea. The varieties were selected for key traits such as early maturity, resistance to pests and diseases, improved yield potential, and adaptability to both dry and rainy seasons.
The committee noted that several of the new crop varieties were produced through collaboration with leading agricultural research institutions, including the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the National Horticultural Research Institute, highlighting the importance of research partnerships in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural innovation.
Professor Olufajo urged farmers to adopt the improved seeds and livestock to maximise productivity and enhance food supply nationwide. He also called on agricultural extension officers to intensify awareness campaigns and ensure the innovations are widely disseminated across rural farming communities.
The introduction of these improved varieties forms part of a broader series of agricultural interventions implemented by the government in recent years. Previous initiatives have included the release of hybrid rice, maize, wheat, and tomato varieties, as well as earlier poultry breeds designed to improve domestic protein production.
Agricultural stakeholders believe the latest approvals will help address rising food demand and strengthen resilience against climate-related challenges affecting crop and livestock output. The measures are also expected to contribute to stabilising food prices and improving farmers’ incomes by increasing overall farm productivity.
The government’s renewed focus on agricultural innovation comes amid projections that millions of Nigerians could face heightened food insecurity in 2026. By introducing climate-resilient crops and high-performing livestock breeds, authorities aim to strengthen domestic food systems, reduce reliance on imports, and support long-term national food security.
