Victoria Mbangwa
In a groundbreaking move to tackle widespread malnutrition and strengthen food security, the Federal Government has unveiled Africa’s first zinc-enriched rice varieties Faro 71 and Faro 72 aimed at improving the health of millions of Nigerians, particularly women and children, while enhancing the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
The official release of the biofortified rice varieties was announced by the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, at a press briefing held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
He described the development as a strategic solution to Nigeria’s nutritional challenges and a major leap in agricultural innovation.
“These varieties not only offer higher zinc content and yield but also climate resilience such as adaptability to Savanna and Rainforest ecologies, Drought tolerance and Pest and disease resistance, which make them a valuable tool for enhancing both the productivity and resilience of rice farming systems in vulnerable communities”. Kyari stated.
Zinc deficiency is a major public health concern in Nigeria, contributing to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and poor cognitive development particularly among children under five, where anaemia and malnutrition rates are alarmingly high. According to national nutrition surveys, 68% of children under five suffer from anaemia, while 37% are stunted.
Senator Kyari emphasized that the Faro 71 and 72 rice varieties, when consumed regularly, can provide up to 40% of an individual’s daily zinc requirement. “This is a practical, cost-effective solution that can significantly improve cognitive health and immune function, especially in adolescents and young children,” he said.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, HarvestPlus, HarvestPlus Solutions, and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), with support from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Propcom+, and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
The breakthrough builds on success stories from Bangladesh and India, where the introduction of zinc-enriched rice has led to measurable health improvements among farming communities. In Nigeria, the varieties are expected not only to combat micronutrient deficiencies but also to open new market opportunities for local farmers.
HarvestPlus Country Director, Dr. Yusuf Dollah, revealed that the organisation is already producing early-generation seeds in collaboration with NCRI.
Dr. Dollah added that HarvestPlus is entering the commercialisation phase and is ready to support farmers through demonstrations and demand-creation activities to ensure nationwide adoption.
Also speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, hailed the milestone as a significant step toward ensuring food and nutrition safety for all Nigerians, noting that rice remains a critical staple in the country’s diet.
The event drew stakeholders from across the agricultural value chain, including representatives from Biofarm, Propcom, AGRA, and NCRI, all united in their commitment to scaling up the distribution and impact of the zinc rice varieties.
