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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The federal government has announced the official release of zinc-enriched rice varieties; Faro 71 and Faro 72, as part of its strategic efforts to combat malnutrition, particularly iron and zinc deficiencies affecting millions of Nigerians, especially children under five.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, revealed that recent global health reports show that approximately 68 percent of Nigerian children under the age of five suffer from anaemia, with iron and zinc deficiencies identified as major underlying factors.
Kyari explained that the new rice varieties are designed to address both nutritional gaps and agronomic challenges faced by smallholder farmers. According to him, Faro 71 and Faro 72 offer not only increased nutritional value but also improved resilience in diverse ecological zones.
“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.
Highlighting the severity of zinc deficiency in Nigeria, Kyari noted that it remains a major public health issue, particularly among women and children, contributing to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, and delayed cognitive development.
“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,” he added.
Quoting national nutrition surveys, the minister said, “Anaemia affects about 68 per cent 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 per cent.”
He further explained that zinc deficiency compromises the immune system, heightens vulnerability to infections, and contributes to maternal health challenges, poor birth outcomes, and reduced productivity among adults.
Kyari lauded the partnership between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, HarvestPlus, HarvestPlus Solutions, and the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) for achieving what he described as a “historic milestone” in Nigeria’s nutritional and agricultural development.
“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,” the minister noted.
Also speaking at the event, Dr. Yusuf Dollah, Country Director of HarvestPlus, disclosed that the organization is currently working with NCRI to produce early-generation seeds of the zinc rice varieties.
He added that HarvestPlus is committed to ensuring the integration of these varieties into Nigeria’s formal seed system.
“We are working closely with the National Cereals Research Institute to produce early-generation seeds. The Institute is ready to integrate the commercial seed components into the seed system for free, enabling farmers to multiply and produce certified seeds needed for large-scale planting,” Dollah said.
He further stated that HarvestPlus would collaborate with key partners to carry out demonstrations and implement demand-creation initiatives, adding that the organization’s efforts are entering the commercialization phase.
“We’re committed to ensuring that Nigerians will consistently have access to these nutritious rice varieties. Importantly, the price point for these zinc-enriched varieties will be the same as that of conventional rice varieties,” he said.
