Nigeria Unveils First Zinc-enriched Rice Varieties To Boost Nutrition

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with HarvestPlus and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), has announced the official release of Nigeria’s first zinc-biofortified rice varieties, FARO 71 and FARO 72.

Speaking at the launch event in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon Abubakar Kyari, described the development as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to tackle malnutrition and strengthen food security.

Kyari noted that zinc deficiency remains a critical public health concern in Nigeria, significantly contributing to poor nutrition outcomes, particularly among women and children.

“Proper nutrition is essential for the survival of the human race, and the future of our generation depends on our children. Introducing zinc-enriched rice offers affordable and accessible solutions to improve dietary zinc intake and overall well-being,” Kyari said.

According to data from the National Nutrition Surveys and global health reports, anaemia affects about 68% of Nigerian children under the age of five, with zinc and iron deficiencies identified as major underlying causes. Zinc deficiency is associated with weakened immune systems, stunted growth, delayed cognitive development, and poor birth outcomes.

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The Minister emphasised that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, Nigeria has prioritised the introduction of biofortified staple crops, including pro-vitamin A maize, vitamin A cassava, iron-rich pearl millet, and now zinc-enriched rice.

The newly released rice varieties — FARO 71 and FARO 72 — are enriched with zinc and boast higher yields, drought tolerance, pest and disease resistance, and adaptability to both savannah and rainforest ecologies. Regular consumption could meet up to 40% of daily zinc requirements, offering a practical solution to combat zinc deficiency nationwide.

Country Manager, HarvestPlus Nigeria, Dr Yusuf Dollah Fouad, highlighted that the achievement was made possible through partnerships with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) via the Propcom+ Project, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

“This breakthrough mirrors successful efforts in Bangladesh and India, where zinc-enriched rice significantly improved nutrition outcomes. Nigeria now leads Africa in introducing zinc-biofortified rice,” Dollah said.

According to the World Bank, Nigeria loses over US$1.5 billion annually in GDP due to vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

The adoption of zinc-enriched rice is expected to address these health challenges and create sustainable market opportunities for smallholder farmers, helping to boost incomes and enhance national food and nutrition security.

HarvestPlus and its partners reaffirmed their commitment to working with public institutions, private sector players, and other stakeholders to promote the widespread adoption of nutrient-rich cereals and drive the transformation of Nigeria’s food system.

Country Representative for Propcom, Dr. Adiya Ode, also stressed the importance of making the new varieties accessible: “We will be working closely with HarvestPlus to ensure that these seeds are commercially available and accessible to farmers. We are collaborating with seed companies to reproduce and multiply the seeds locally, ensuring farmers can easily obtain them without extra costs or needing to travel long distances.”