In a recent workshop held in Abuja, Nigeria, government officials and agricultural experts gathered to address a pressing issue: the lack of standardized guidelines for the release of biofortified provitamin A maize. This crucial step is essential to enhance nutrition and combat malnutrition in the country. Led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in collaboration with HarvestPlus, the workshop aimed to validate draft standards that would ensure only maize varieties with the required beta-carotene levels are classified as provitamin A maize.
Dr. Yusuff Fou’ad, the Country Manager of HarvestPlus, highlighted the significance of biofortification in staple crops, emphasizing the vital role it plays in enriching essential micronutrients and vitamins. However, he raised concerns about the current scenario, where the absence of standardized guidelines allows ordinary yellow maize to be falsely marketed as vitamin A maize, deceiving consumers and hindering efforts to address vitamin A deficiency.
“One of the constraints in Nigeria is the lack of a standard for releasing vitamin A maize. This means anyone can sell ordinary yellow maize as vitamin A maize. We are working with government agencies to set clear guidelines, ensuring that only varieties with a specific level of beta-carotene are recognized as vitamin A maize,” Fou’ad explained.
The outcomes of this workshop are expected to culminate in a policy document that will define micronutrient standards for the release of biofortified maize in Nigeria. The official launch of this policy document is scheduled for March 25, 2025, marking a significant step towards combating malnutrition through enhanced agricultural practices.
### The Importance of Biofortification Beyond Maize
Nuhu Kilishi, the Director of the Nutrition and Food Safety Department at FMAFS, reiterated the government’s commitment to reducing malnutrition through biofortification. He stressed the necessity of expanding biofortification initiatives beyond maize to include other essential crops like cereals, tubers, and vegetables. Kilishi also mentioned ongoing efforts to establish cooperative farming clusters that would facilitate large-scale cultivation and processing of biofortified crops, thereby increasing access to nutritious food across Nigeria.
Prof. Olusoji Olufajo, the Chairman of the National Variety Release Committee, emphasized the need to update standards for provitamin A maize in response to advancements in agricultural research. He underscored the importance of ensuring that high-yielding, nutritionally superior maize varieties reach farmers, boosting both productivity and income in the agricultural sector. By establishing a beta-carotene threshold, researchers can effectively classify maize varieties and monitor progress in biofortification endeavors.
Dr. Mustapha Popoola, the Special Adviser on Nutrition to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, highlighted the evolving focus on nutrition security as a government priority alongside food security. The imminent adoption of these guidelines will guarantee that only certified maize varieties, rich in essential nutrients, are released to farmers. This initiative is poised to enhance public health and fortify the country’s food system, paving the way for a healthier and more resilient agricultural landscape.
In conclusion, the validation workshop held in Abuja serves as a pivotal moment in the fight against malnutrition in Nigeria. By establishing clear guidelines for the release of biofortified provitamin A maize, stakeholders are laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and nutritious future. Through collaborative efforts and strategic policymaking, the country is poised to make significant strides in addressing malnutrition and enhancing food security for all its citizens.
