• Hausa Edition
  • Podcast
  • Conferences
  • LeVogue Magazine
  • Business News
  • Print Advert Rates
  • Online Advert Rates
  • Contact Us
Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Leadership Newspapers
Read in Hausa
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Leadership Newspapers
No Result
View All Result

HarvestPlus Nigeria Raises Bar For Biofortified Crop Production Standards

by Orjime Moses
1 year ago
in News
Share on WhatsAppShare on FacebookShare on XTelegram

 

Advertisement

HarvestPlus Nigeria has announced a
significant milestone in it’s mission to combat malnutrition and promote food security across Nigeria.

The Country Manager, HarvestPlus -NigeriaDr, 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.

RELATED

‘We Can’t Force Anyone To Identify As Nigerian’, Dabiri-Erewa Speaks On UK’s Badenoch

PeacePro Petitions UK Parliament Over Kemi Badenoch’s Remarks On Nigeria

1 minute ago
BBNaija 10: Housemates Lose First Wager Presentation

BBNaija10: All Housemates Up For Eviction Except Victory, Kayikunmi

18 minutes ago

“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 standardization. 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 finalize 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 emphasized 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 maximizing 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 standardizing 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 emphasized 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 standardized pearl millet, aiming to enhance its accessibility and utilization.

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 emphasizes the importance of standardizing 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, standardized quality ensures consistency and reliability in agricultural production, benefiting both farmers and consumers alike.”


We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →

Join Our WhatsApp Channel




SendShareTweetShare
Previous Post

Mbah Signs Bill To Establish Teaching Hospital In Enugu North

Next Post

Governor Ododo Excited Over Rescue Of 43 Passengers

Orjime Moses

Orjime Moses

You May Like

‘We Can’t Force Anyone To Identify As Nigerian’, Dabiri-Erewa Speaks On UK’s Badenoch
News

PeacePro Petitions UK Parliament Over Kemi Badenoch’s Remarks On Nigeria

2025/08/05
BBNaija 10: Housemates Lose First Wager Presentation
Entertainment

BBNaija10: All Housemates Up For Eviction Except Victory, Kayikunmi

2025/08/05
Lagos Gov’t Seals Club For Violating Traffic Regulations
News

Lagos Gov’t Seals Club For Violating Traffic Regulations

2025/08/05
Professionals Want Kwara Varsity Of Education In Igbomina
News

Mentally-challenged Woman Delivered Of Baby Girl In Kwara

2025/08/05
Unpaid Entitlements: Finance Officials Meet Protesting Ex-soldiers
News

Unpaid Entitlements: Finance Officials Meet Protesting Ex-soldiers

2025/08/05
Households Displaced As Flood Ravages Katsina, Sokoto, Taraba, Others
News

Anambra Community Laments As Flood Destroys Farms, Roads, Houses

2025/08/05
Leadership Conference advertisement

LATEST

PeacePro Petitions UK Parliament Over Kemi Badenoch’s Remarks On Nigeria

That Call By The Turkish Government

BBNaija10: All Housemates Up For Eviction Except Victory, Kayikunmi

Lagos Gov’t Seals Club For Violating Traffic Regulations

Mentally-challenged Woman Delivered Of Baby Girl In Kwara

Unpaid Entitlements: Finance Officials Meet Protesting Ex-soldiers

Anambra Community Laments As Flood Destroys Farms, Roads, Houses

Council Nominates Ex-gov Ladoja Olubadan Of Ibadan

WAFCON: Aiyedatiwa Gifts Super Falcons Player, Tosin Demehin, N30m Cash, House

Nigerians In US Decry Poor Condition Of Nigeria House

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Health
  • Entertainment
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Football
  • Others
    • LeVogue Magazine
    • Conferences
    • National Economy
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Leadership Media Group - All Rights Reserved.