Badeggi, Niger State
In a landmark event that highlights Nigeria’s leadership in nutrition-sensitive agriculture, the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, on Friday, June 27, 2025, successfully handed over the first phase of early generation seeds of Zinc biofortified FARO 72 rice variety to HarvestPlus.
This handover marks a major milestone in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year between NCRI and HarvestPlus for the production of 15 metric tonnes Breeder and Foundation seeds of FARO 71 and FARO 72 (zinc biofortified rice seeds), the first of their kind in Africa.
The ceremony, held at the NCRI headquarters in Badeggi, Niger State, brought together key stakeholders and dignitaries committed to advancing agricultural innovation and food system transformation. Leading the event was the Executive Director of NCRI, Dr. Mohammed Ndagi Ishaq, who was joined by Dr. Yusuf Fu’ad, Country Manager of HarvestPlus; Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, Coordinator of the Muhammadu Buhari Entrepreneurship Development Centre Minna; Dr. Usman Aliyu, Director of Agricultural Engineering at NCRI and Dr. Muhammad Liman Muhammad, Head of the Breeding Unit at NCRI.
In his welcome remarks, Dr. Ishaq described the event as a giant leap for Nigeria and the continent at large, noting that FARO 71 and FARO 72 are the first Zinc biofortified rice varieties to be developed and released in Africa. He commended the Institute’s breeders for their tireless efforts and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to delivering research-driven solutions that address national priorities in food and nutrition security.
Dr. Yusuf Fu’ad expressed deep appreciation for NCRI’s scientific leadership and emphasized the critical role that these varieties will play in improving the nutritional status of Nigerian communities. He noted that Zinc, an essential micronutrient, is key to boosting immunity and child development and that mainstreaming such innovations into national seed systems will have far-reaching public health benefits.
The Zinc biofortified FARO 71 and FARO 72 rice varieties are the result of cutting-edge agricultural research targeted at addressing micronutrient deficiencies through biofortification. This initiative represents a bold response to the growing need for crops that not only yield more but also nourish better.
This successful handover signals a new era in African agriculture, where research, innovation and strategic partnerships converge to deliver crops that feed and heal. NCRI remains at the forefront of this mission, demonstrating once again its pivotal role in advancing sustainable agricultural development in Nigeria and beyond.
For media and general inquiries, please contact: info@ncribadeggi.org.ng
Mohammed Tukur Mohammed
Public Relations Officer
