•Say it’s another political statement
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
Many farmers across Nigeria are expressing skepticism over the federal government’s recent proposal to introduce zinc-enriched rice varieties, Faro 71 and Faro 72, arguing that it may be yet another enticing political promise rather than a practical solution.
Despite claims that the initiative could address nutritional deficiencies and improve rice production, many farmers remain unconvinced, citing past unfulfilled commitments and the ongoing challenges in the agricultural sector.
While some farmers cited the lack of adequate hectares of farmland to buoy the initiative, others said the ongoing crisis between herders and farmers would truncate the project.
A member of the Small-scale Women Farmers Association of Nigeria (SWOFON), Nkechi Emmanuel, urged the government to prioritise the nation’s current agricultural outputs before venturing into new initiatives.
“For me, it is a political statement. This is not the first time the government is making promises. Look at the issue of tractors. Every year, we hear stories of how the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with foreign firms to supply tractors, yet we still do not have enough of them.
“The rice we currently cultivate is still not affordable to many homes, not to talk of exporting it. I heard that the price of rice has dropped, but I can tell you that so many families cannot afford it. It is not enough for the government to make promises; can it keep up with them?” she asked.
Another farmer, Aminu Saidu, said the government must be circumspect in introducing zinc rice to the soil.
“We want rice availability and affordability. I will not totally shut down the idea, but the government needs to carry out a feasibility study. Look at the regions where the rice can do better. We do not want another story after funds have been released for the project.
“The government should address the ongoing crisis between herders and farmers. It is getting out of hand. Look at the carnage in the north-central region. Every day, farmers are being killed. That should be the priority of the government.”
“What has happened to the import waiver? How far have we gone in terms of food security? The initiative is good, but the government must be deliberate and committed to the project,” Peter Akpaleke, a farmer, added.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, last week, said the move was a result of a global health report which stated that about 68% of children under five in Nigeria suffer from anemia and iron deficiencies.
According to Kyari, the zinc rice varieties, Faro 71 and Faro 72, will address key challenges in rice production and significantly contribute to food and nutrition security for Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, who depend on rice for both sustenance and income.
“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,” he said.
He added that zinc is a vital micronutrient required for immune function, growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being.
“Yet, a large proportion of the Nigerian population does not meet their daily zinc requirements due to diets that are predominantly low in bioavailable micronutrients.
“Nutrition surveys and global health reports have it that anaemia affects about 68% of children under five in Nigeria, with zinc and iron deficiencies being major underlying causes.
The national stunting prevalence among children under five in Nigeria is 37%,” the Minister noted.
The Minister also noted that through a strategic collaboration between the Ministry, HarvestPlus Solutions, and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone with the release of Faro 71 and Faro 72 – the first biofortified, zinc-enriched rice varieties in both Nigeria and Africa.
According to him, “This breakthrough builds on successful scaling efforts in Bangladesh and India, where farming households growing zinc-enriched rice have recorded measurable improvements in nutrition outcomes through increased production and consumption.”