Nigeria has introduced two new standards for the release of biofortified crops to enhance food security as well as boost nutrition.
The project was 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.
The nutritional standard project aims to ensure that biofortified crops meet rigorous nutritional and agronomic requirements.
The newly established guidelines include minimum requirements for the 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. There are also additional requirements for pearl millet variety registration and release, providing a structured framework for the approval and distribution of pearl millet varieties.
ALSO READ: GAIN, HarvestPlus commercialise two biofortified crops, targets 34 million Nigerians
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 in Ibadan, the 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.”
The National Chairman of the NVRC, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, emphasised, “These standards introduce clarity and uniformity in biofortified maize production. They will prevent the mislabelling 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.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then