HarvestPlus Nigeria Raises Bar For Biofortified Crop Production Standards

HarvestPlus Nigeria has announced a significant milestone in its mission to combat malnutrition and promote food security across Nigeria.
The director general of HarvestPlus Nigeria, Yusuf Dollah made this announcement in Abuja yesterday during a validation workshop on micronutrient standards and other specifications for millet varieties release and registration in Nigeria

Dollah stated that with a focus on enhancing production standards, HarvestPlus is poised to elevate the quality and efficacy of its biofortified crops, particularly millets enriched with zinc and iron.
He underscored HarvestPlus’s decade-long dedication to developing biofortified crops tailored to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations. These crops, meticulously bred to contain essential micronutrients and vitamins, offer a sustainable solution to combating malnutrition and promoting healthy growth.

“We started with vitamin A cassava, followed by vitamin A maize, and iron- and zinc-rich millets. We were supposed to commence work on the development of zinc rice, but as we promote these varieties, we need the technical expertise and services to strengthen this value chain in Nigeria.

“One of the areas we consider essential is standardisation. Therefore, when releasing any variety as a biofortified crop, there should be minimum standards for nutrients and vitamin C content that the variety must meet before it can be called a biofortified crop. Hence, we decided to start with the millets. A few weeks ago, we held an initial workshop to develop the standards, and we reached an agreement on them.

“Today, we are validating these standards to ensure consensus on what we have documented. This validation confirms that the agreed-upon standards will apply to all crops released in Nigeria. Previously, new varieties were released based on comparisons to previous ones. Now, our aim is to finalise the reference documents, providing a clear framework for future releases,” he said.

Recognizing the importance of upholding rigorous standards in crop production and distribution, Dollah emphasised the need for technical excellence to ensure the efficacy of biofortified varieties.

He said that by implementing stringent criteria for micronutrient and vitamin content, HarvestPlus aims to guarantee the nutritional integrity of its biofortified crops, thereby maximising their impact on public health.

He added that as part of its strategic initiatives, HarvestPlus is collaborating with agricultural experts, research institutions, and regulatory bodies to establish comprehensive standards for biofortified crop production.

He said, “This collaborative approach ensures that biofortified varieties meet or exceed minimum thresholds for essential nutrients, thereby enhancing their nutritional value and efficacy in addressing malnutrition.”

The country representative of the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-arid Tropics, Angarawai Ignatius, underscored the importance of producing and standardising millets nationwide, highlighting their critical role in sustaining humanity amidst climate change.

In Nigeria, pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum) and finger millet (Eleusine coracana) are the predominant varieties cultivated, with pearl millet being the most prevalent, particularly in the northern states.

Ignatius emphasised millet’s resilience to climate change, noting its potential to thrive even in extreme conditions like 45 degrees Celsius. He referenced the UN’s recognition of millet’s significance by declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millet, underscoring its contribution to human survival, especially in arid regions.

Additionally, he mentioned the cultural importance of millet consumption, such as in India, where it is customary to feed newlywed women millet-based meals for at least six months to a year.

In Nigeria, efforts are underway to streamline the production and commercial availability of standardised pearl millet, aiming to enhance its accessibility and utilisation.

The Chairman, Technical Sub-committee Crops; National Committee on Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof. Shehu Ado emphasises the importance of standardising the quality of millet varieties in Nigeria, particularly pearl millet, in light of the nation’s efforts to promote food security.

He highlights the necessity of breeding pearl millet varieties with genotypes capable of producing high amounts of iron and zinc.

Ado said, “This underscores the significance of biofortification, which aims to enhance the nutritional content of crops to address malnutrition and improve public health.

“By focusing on improving the nutritional profile of millet, a staple crop in many regions of Nigeria, the country can better meet the dietary needs of its population and enhance food security.

“Moreover, standardised quality ensures consistency and reliability in agricultural production, benefiting both farmers and consumers alike.”