RismadarVoice Reporters, April 11, 2026
In a decisive move to align agricultural productivity with public health outcomes, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has unveiled two new zinc-biofortified rice varietiesFaro 71 and Faro 72 marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against malnutrition.
The initiative reflects a core pillar of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes not only food availability but also nutritional quality.
By introducing biofortified staples into the national food system, the administration aims to tackle “hidden hunger” a form of malnutrition caused by deficiencies in essential micronutrients despite adequate caloric intake.
Abdullahi underscored the importance of integrating science and innovation into agriculture to address long-standing health challenges. He noted that rice, being one of Nigeria’s most widely consumed staples, provides an effective vehicle for delivering essential nutrients such as zinc to millions of households.
“These improved varieties are not just about increasing yield,” the minister stated. “They are about improving lives ensuring that what Nigerians eat contributes meaningfully to their health and well-being.”
Nutrition experts have long warned that zinc deficiency contributes to weakened immunity, stunted growth in children, and increased susceptibility to disease. The introduction of Faro 71 and 72 is expected to directly address these concerns, particularly among vulnerable populations in rural and low-income communities.
As Nigeria grapples with food security challenges exacerbated by inflation and climate pressures, the government’s pivot toward nutrition-sensitive agriculture is being hailed as a timely and strategic intervention.
With the launch of Faro 71 and 72, the Tinubu administration signals a broader shift: from simply feeding the nation to nourishing it one grain at a time according to the minister.
