Federal Government Launches New Chicken Breeds and High-Yield Crop Varieties to Boost Agricultural Production in Nigeria
In a significant step toward enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural output and improving the nutritional quality of food, the Federal Government has introduced two new chicken breeds and 14 high-yield crop varieties. These advancements were announced at the 34th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds, and Fisheries, held on Thursday. This committee meeting convened agricultural experts, researchers, geneticists, and breeders, with Chairman Prof. Soji Olufajo leading the discussions.
Prof. Olufajo, Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), explained that the decision to release these new breeds and crop varieties was based on extensive evaluations and recommendations from two specialized sub-committees within the NVRC. These sub-committees examined the performance, yield potential, and resilience of the new crop varieties and livestock breeds before recommending them for final approval.
The two newly released chicken breeds, the Noiler and Cobb 500, bring unique benefits to Nigerian poultry production. The Noiler, developed locally, is a dual-purpose breed capable of providing both eggs and meat, making it particularly valuable for small-scale farmers and rural households. The Cobb 500, on the other hand, is a meat-focused breed known for its high growth rate and feed efficiency, aimed at boosting meat production.
In addition to the poultry advancements, 14 new crop varieties were approved to enhance food production and agricultural sustainability across Nigeria. These include high-yielding varieties of wheat, barley, maize, cassava, rice, castor, and jute (Corchorus). Each of these crops was carefully selected for its potential to address food security, adapt to local growing conditions, and improve farmers’ yields, contributing significantly to the country’s agricultural economy.
Earlier in the week, the technical sub-committee led by Prof. S. Ado conducted its 38th meeting, where it reviewed 19 crop varieties submitted for consideration. After thorough deliberation, the sub-committee recommended 14 varieties that demonstrated the highest yield and resilience, presenting them to the NVRC for final approval. Similarly, a second technical sub-committee, chaired by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, met for its 9th session to evaluate the proposed chicken breeds. Their assessment highlighted the Noiler and Cobb 500 breeds as the most promising candidates for meeting Nigeria’s growing poultry demands.
Following careful review and discussion, the NVRC granted approval for the official release of these two chicken breeds and the 14 crop varieties. This decision marks an important milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to modernize agriculture, improve food security, and support local farmers.
By investing in these new high-yield crop varieties and poultry breeds, the government aims to strengthen agricultural resilience and provide more nutritious food options to communities across Nigeria.
Source: https://tribuneonlineng.com/fg-releases-two-new-chicken-breeds-to-increase-agricultural-production/#google_vignette