FG releases new chicken breeds, high-yield crop varieties

The Federal Government has approved the release of two new chicken breeds and 14 high-yield crop varieties, aiming to boost agricultural output and improve nutrition across Nigeria.

This announcement was made on Thursday at the 34th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration, and Release of Crop Varieties, Chicken Breeds, and Fisheries.

The Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee (NVRC), Prof. Soji Olufajo, outlined that the committee approved the dual-purpose Noiler and meat-type Cobb 500 chicken breeds, along with new crop varieties for wheat, barley, maize, cassava, rice, castor, and conchorus.

These recommendations were presented to the NVRC by its technical sub-committees, following extensive evaluations of 19 crop and poultry breed submissions received from researchers, geneticists, and breeders.

Dr. Anthony Okere, Director of the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NACGRAB), highlighted that the approved varieties will contribute significantly to food security and encouraged farmers to adopt these new options for improved productivity.