In a major effort to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and enhance food security, the Federal Government has released two new chicken breeds and 14 high-yield crop varieties. This initiative, announced during the 34th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds/Fisheries, aims to improve agricultural productivity and nutritional standards nationwide.
The National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), led by its chairman, Prof. Soji Olufajo, approved the two chicken breeds—Noiler and Cobb 500—as well as 14 crop varieties, including wheat, barley, maize, cassava, rice, castor, and conchorus. The NVRC meeting brought together key stakeholders in agriculture, including researchers, geneticists, scientists, and breeders, to review and select these additions based on recommendations from the committee’s two technical sub-committees.
During deliberations, the technical sub-committee, chaired by Prof. S. Ado, assessed 19 proposed crop varieties, ultimately approving 14 for release. Meanwhile, a separate sub-committee, headed by Prof. Waheed Akin-Hassan, evaluated two chicken breeds for their suitability, recommending the Noiler breed—a dual-purpose bird suited for both meat and eggs—and the Cobb 500 breed, known for its high meat yield.
Following detailed scrutiny, NVRC endorsed these new crop varieties and chicken breeds for official registration. Olufajo noted that both the Noiler and Cobb 500 breeds are already being used by poultry farmers, consumers, and researchers. “Our role is to formalize their release, ensuring they meet quality standards for productivity and nutrition,” he explained.
In remarks at the meeting, Dr. Anthony Okere, Director of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), expressed confidence that the release of these new breeds and crops will contribute significantly to food security efforts. He encouraged farmers to adopt the newly released crop varieties, pointing to their potential to increase production yields with minimal effort.
Okere also acknowledged the contributions of research institutions and organizations that played a vital role in evaluating and selecting the breeds and crop varieties. He praised these collaborations as essential for advancing Nigeria’s agricultural development and meeting the country’s growing food demands.
This release aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals to support the agricultural sector, enhance nutritional standards, and strengthen the economy by increasing locally-produced food resources. With the official endorsement of these breeds and crop varieties, the government hopes to see rapid adoption among farmers, boosting overall agricultural productivity and improving food availability across the nation.
