Nigeria introduces new crop standards as 30% children face Vitamin A deficiency
“In a bid to combat widespread micronutrient deficiencies, particularly Vitamin A deficiency, Nigeria has rolled out two new standards for the registration and release of biofortified crops. This initiative is expected to improve food and nutrition security, especially for vulnerable populations, including children under five, who suffer from high rates of Vitamin A deficiency.
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 newly established standards set strict nutritional and agronomic benchmarks for the approval and commercialization of biofortified maize and pearl millet varieties.
The newly approved standards include:
- Registration and release requirements for Provitamin A and Non-Provitamin A Maize – ensuring that only maize varieties meeting essential nutritional and agronomic standards are released to farmers.
- Regulatory framework for Pearl Millet variety registration and release – establishing structured guidelines for the development and distribution of nutritionally improved pearl millet.
These guidelines are set to serve as key reference materials for breeders, seed companies, policymakers, and other players in the agricultural value chain, ensuring uniformity and quality control in biofortified crop production.
During the official launch, Dr. Yusuf Dollah Fouad, Country Manager of HarvestPlus Nigeria, emphasized that these standards will help maintain the micronutrient integrity of biofortified crops, delivering meaningful health benefits to consumers.
Similarly, Dr. Jonathan Alegbe, Deputy Director of the Maize Value Chain at FMAFS, highlighted the role of Provitamin A Maize in achieving Nigeria’s food and nutrition security goals. He noted that the establishment of these standards reflects the government’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity while enhancing nutritional value.
In addition, Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, National Chairman of the NVRC, pointed out that the newly introduced guidelines bring clarity and uniformity to biofortified maize production, preventing the mislabeling of maize varieties that do not meet the required beta-carotene levels as Provitamin A maize.
Source- Daily Trust
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The introduction of biofortified crop standards marks a strategic step in strengthening Nigeria’s food system, with significant implications for various stakeholders in the agriculture and food industry:
- Smallholder Farmers & Seed Companies
– Market Differentiation & Value Addition: Farmers who adopt these certified biofortified seeds will have access to premium market opportunities due to their higher nutritional value.
– Improved Yield & Profitability: With structured guidelines, farmers can trust the genetic integrity of these seeds, leading to better productivity and higher returns.
– Seed Industry Growth: The standards create a regulated framework for seed companies to commercialize biofortified crops, ensuring quality control and reducing counterfeit seed proliferation.
- Food Processors & Agribusinesses
-New Product Development: Food processors can leverage biofortified maize and pearl millet to develop nutrient-rich food products, enhancing their competitive edge in the market.
– Fortification Alternatives: With rising costs of artificial food fortification, biofortification offers a cost-effective and natural alternative to improving food quality.
- Policymakers & Health Experts
– Improved Public Health Outcomes: With proper implementation, these biofortified varieties can help reduce cases of vitamin A deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition, particularly in rural communities.
– Regulatory Oversight & Consumer Protection: The new standards prevent misleading claims about biofortified crops, ensuring consumers receive the nutritional benefits they expect.
- Investment & Development Partners
– Scaling Up Interventions: Development agencies can now align funding with a clear regulatory framework, ensuring investments in nutrition-sensitive agriculture yield measurable results.
– Public-Private Partnerships: These guidelines encourage private sector participation in biofortified seed production, fostering innovation and economic growth.
Key Considerations for Successful Implementation
- Awareness & Education: Farmers, agribusinesses, and consumers must be sensitized about the benefits and availability of biofortified crops.
- Monitoring & Compliance: Regulatory agencies, including the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), must ensure strict adherence to these standards to maintain credibility.
- Market Linkages: Farmers growing biofortified crops need access to structured markets that incentivize production through premium pricing and demand-driven models.
The establishment of biofortified crop standards is a milestone for Nigeria’s agricultural and food security landscape. If properly implemented, these guidelines will drive adoption, improve nutrition, and create new opportunities for farmers, seed developers, agribusinesses, and health policymakers. Ensuring seamless enforcement, farmer education, and market access will be critical to unlocking the full potential of this initiative.”
