The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced a significant breakthrough in the quest to improve food and nutrition safety in Nigeria.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, revealed that the Federal Government is set to introduce zinc rice varieties, specifically Faro 71 and Faro 72, to address key challenges in rice production and enhance nutrition security.
Speaking to newsmen in  Abuja on Tuesday,  during a briefing on the official release of Biofortified Zinc Rice Varieties in Nigeria, the Minister said the zinc rice varieties will significantly contribute to food and nutrition security for Nigeria’s smallholder farmers, who depend on rice for both sustenance and income.
Sen. Kyari said, “The introduction of these varieties is a proactive step towards addressing the nutritional challenges faced by our people”.
Kyari highlighted the benefits of the new zinc rice varieties, stating that they “not only offer higher zinc content and yield but also climate resilience such as adaptability to Savanna and Rainforest ecologies.”
This, he noted, will enable farmers to increase their productivity and income while also improving the nutritional quality of their produce.
He emphasised that the introduction of these varieties is part of the government’s efforts to enhance food and nutrition security, particularly for vulnerable populations.
“We are committed to ensuring that our people have access to nutritious food, and this initiative is a significant step in that direction.
“The introduction of zinc rice varieties is expected to have a significant impact on smallholder farmers, who are the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By increasing their productivity and income, these farmers will be able to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the country’s food security.

The Nigerian Exchange Group Plc recorded a 58 per cent rise in profit after tax to N2.11billion in the first quarter ended March 31, 2025, compared to N1.34 billion reported in the corresponding period of 2024.
The group’s unaudited financial statements, filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited, showed that the growth in profit was largely driven by improved income performance and a sharp decline in finance costs.
Total income rose to N4.58 billion in the period under review from N3.94 billion in the same quarter of 2024, supported by a 126 per cent jump in other income to N1.01billion, up from N450.6 million. Revenue also saw a slight growth to N3.56 billion, compared to N3.49 billion in the prior period.
Personnel expenses and other operating costs stood at N1.22 billion and N1.08 billion respectively, resulting in total operating expenses of N2.43 billion, up from N2.25 billion in the corresponding quarter.
A major driver of the bottom-line improvement was the steep drop in finance costs, which fell by over 55 per cent to N254.4 million from N571.7 million in the prior year, reflecting better cost efficiency or reduced debt service obligations.
The group also earned N593.6 million from its associates, although this marked a 34 per cent decline from N899.7 million recorded in Q1 2024.
Profit before tax rose to N2.49 billion from N2.01 billion, while income tax expenses fell to N372.95 million from N675.74 million, further supporting the growth in profit after tax.
On the balance sheet, NGX Group’s total assets rose to N69.9 billion as of March 31, 2025, compared to N68 billion in December 2024. The group also increased retained earnings to N46.98 billion, up from N44.86 billion, while total equity improved to N50.66 billion.
The group continues to maintain a strong financial position with investment securities of over N28.8 billion and a reduction in total liabilities to N19.24 billion from N19.49 billion in December.

The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) says the council has distributed 4,633 hybrid seedlings to farmers across the country.
The Director-General of the NEPC, Dr. Nonye Ayeni, disclosed this while presenting the First Quarter Progress Report on the Non-oil export performance for 2025.
Ayeni said in Kogi State, farmers benefited from oil palm seedlings as a start-up seed intervention to boost exports.
“In Akure, over 2,000 cocoa seedlings were distributed to farmers for the planting season.
“In Gusau, Zamfara State, groundnut seedlings were distributed to eight communities for cluster farming in the state.
“Also, in Bayelsa State, the council distributed 1,500 hybrid cocoa seedlings”, she said.
Ayeni further that 1,100 coffee seedlings and 100 bags of organic fertiliser were distributed to 148 coffee farmers from Chaha and Vom Communities in Plateau State.
The Director-General said NEPC was committed to ensuring conformity to quality and standards to curb rejects and reduce contract cancellation.
According to her, on this note, the council, working with International Trade Center (ITC) Geneva, has validated the baseline study for sesame and cowpea value chains.
Ayeni said the council was selected as one of four Business Support Organisations in the world and only one in Africa, to implement phase one of the Women Exporters in Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund.
“This 50-million dollars fund, launched in February 2024 by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will support Women-led Businesses to participate actively in global digital trade
“Applications have begun in earnest and we encourage every women-led business to apply”, she said.
The Director General said that to facilitate the ease of doing business and seamless documentation processes, the council registered a total of 1,129 new exporters.
She also noted that 16 exit points were used in the period under review to export non-oil products from Nigeria.
She added that approximately 95 per cent of the total non-oil exports were routed through seaports.
According to her, in total, six seaports, three international airports and seven land borders served as exit points for Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
Ayeni said the council would continue to strengthen its relationship with developmental partners and trade organisations.