FG Reaffirms Commitment to Biofortified Crops Adoption

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food and nutrition security through the expanded adoption of biofortified crops across the country.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, made this known at a national biofortification workshop held in Kano on Saturday.

Ogunbiyi stressed that ensuring food availability alone was no longer sufficient, noting that emphasis must now be placed on guaranteeing that food consumed by Nigerians is nutritious, safe, affordable and accessible.

He observed that malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain significant public health and economic challenges in the country, particularly among women, children and other vulnerable groups.

According to him, biofortification offers a cost-effective and sustainable strategy to improve the nutritional quality of staple foods by increasing their vitamin and mineral content during crop development.
The workshop was convened to review the mandate and operational framework of the National Biofortification Steering Committee and to align its activities with national food and nutrition policies.

Nigeria currently boasts the largest portfolio of biofortified crops globally. These include iron-rich pearl millet, zinc-enriched rice, Vitamin A cassava, Vitamin A maize and Vitamin A sweet potato, developed and promoted through partnerships with research institutions and development partners.

The initiative has been mainstreamed into national agricultural and nutrition policies, with growing private sector participation strengthening the value chain through seed multiplication, processing and market development.
Participants at the workshop underscored the need for sustained investment in research, extension services and public awareness campaigns to accelerate nationwide adoption of biofortified crops.

They also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, research institutions, private sector players and development partners to ensure that biofortified crops become widely available and affordable to households across the country.

The renewed commitment, stakeholders said, is expected to contribute significantly to improved dietary diversity, reduced micronutrient deficiencies and enhanced national productivity.
Caption:
Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, addressing participants at the National Biofortification Workshop in Kano on Saturday.