From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has announced that the Federal Government is introducing zinc rice varieties—Faro 71 and Faro 72—to enhance food and nutrition safety in Nigeria.
Speaking during the official release of the biofortified zinc rice varieties at the Ministry’s conference room in Abuja, Kyari explained that the initiative is aimed at addressing key challenges in rice production while improving the nutritional status of millions of Nigerians, particularly smallholder farmers.
“These varieties not only offer higher zinc content and yield,” the Minister said, “but also demonstrate climate resilience, adaptability to Savanna and Rainforest ecologies, drought tolerance, and resistance to pests and diseases. This makes them a valuable asset for enhancing productivity and resilience in vulnerable communities.”
Kyari emphasized that zinc deficiency remains a serious public health concern in Nigeria, especially among women and children. Zinc is essential for immune function, growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being, but many Nigerians lack access to zinc-rich diets.
“Nutrition surveys and global health reports reveal that anaemia affects about 68% of children under five in Nigeria, with zinc and iron deficiencies being key contributors. The national stunting prevalence among under-five children is currently at 37%,” he added.
The Minister stressed the importance of proper nutrition for future generations, noting that zinc deficiency weakens immune systems, increases susceptibility to infections, and hampers physical and cognitive development. In adults, it contributes to maternal health issues, poor birth outcomes, and reduced productivity.
To combat this, the government is promoting the adoption of biofortified, zinc-enriched staple crops like Faro 71 and 72 rice varieties, providing affordable and accessible ways to boost dietary zinc intake and strengthen food security.
The release of these varieties was made possible through a partnership between the Ministry, HarvestPlus, HarvestPlus Solutions, and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the Propcom+ Project, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
“This breakthrough builds on successful efforts in Bangladesh and India, where farmers growing zinc-enriched rice have recorded improved nutrition outcomes,” Kyari noted. He added that regular consumption of the enriched rice can provide up to 40% of daily zinc needs, making it a practical tool to combat zinc deficiency, especially among adolescents.
Kyari also highlighted the economic potential of the zinc-enriched rice, stating that it opens new, sustainable market opportunities for smallholder farmers, while supplying healthier, nutrient-dense food to Nigerian and African consumers.
He assured that the Ministry and HarvestPlus will continue to collaborate with public and private partners to promote widespread adoption and scaling of the zinc rice varieties.
Earlier, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, hailed the development as a milestone in agricultural innovation, making Nigeria the first country in Africa to release zinc-biofortified rice.
He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening food and nutrition safety, especially given the central role of rice as a staple food in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the HarvestPlus Country Director, Dr. Yusuf Dollah, stated that the organization is currently working with NCRI to produce early-generation seeds. He said the institute is ready to integrate commercial seed components into the national seed system, enabling free access for farmers to multiply certified seeds.
Dr. Dollah added that HarvestPlus will collaborate with partners to conduct field demonstrations and demand-creation activities, noting that the organization’s strategy is structured in three phases: research and development (which led to the variety release), commercialization (which is about to commence), and support to ensure widespread availability of the nutritious rice varieties at the same cost as conventional ones.