Nigeria has introduced two new standards for the release of biofortified crops as part of efforts to combat micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Vitamin A deficiency, which affects about 30 per cent of children under five in the country.
Micronutrient deficiencies remain a pressing public health concern in the country, with iron deficiency anaemia also impacting a large segment of women and children.
These deficiencies contribute to weakened immune systems, poor cognitive development, and increased maternal mortality.
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, these standards aim to ensure that biofortified crops meet rigorous nutritional and agronomic requirements.
The newly established guidelines include: Minimum requirements for 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.
It also includes additional requirements for Pearl Millet variety registration and release which would provide a structured framework for the approval and distribution of pearl millet varieties.
These standards will serve as crucial reference materials for breeders, crop developers, seed companies, the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), academia, and policymakers.
During the launch event, Country Manager of HarvestPlus Nigeria, Dr Yusuf Dollah Fouad said guidelines will ensure that biofortified crops maintain essential micronutrient levels to deliver meaningful health benefits to consumers.
Deputy Director of the Maize Value Chain at FMAFS, Dr. Jonathan Alegbe, noted that Provitamin A Maize is crucial in advancing food and nutrition security in Nigeria.
According to him, establishment of these standards reflects the government’s commitment to both agricultural productivity and nutritional value.
National Chairman of the NVRC, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, said the standards introduce clarity and uniformity in biofortified maize production.
He added that the guidelines would prevent the mislabeling of maize varieties with varying beta-carotene levels as Provitamin A maize.
