Nigeria

What This Is

In Nigeria, the journey from crop variety release to commercialization typically takes at least three years, leaving many promising varieties stranded before they reach farmers. Our Accelerated Release and Commercialization (ARC) model helps scale agricultural innovations by addressing systemic inefficiencies in the seed value chain that hinder the rapid adoption of improved varieties.

What It Looks Like in Nigeria

Release and commercialization of Nigeria’s first iron pearl millet variety achieved in just one year. More than 72 million people now consume vitamin A maize, including over 11 million children under five years of age.

What This Is

We create and strengthen consumer demand by supporting commercial processing of vitamin A maize, vitamin A Cassava, zinc rice, orange fleshed sweet potato, and iron pearl millet  into popular products. We connect farmers to millers, aggregators and markets — and support the processing and branding that turns these staple crops into a product consumers can find and choose.

What It Looks Like in Nigeria

In Nigeria, biofortified crop seeds have attracted USD 24 million in private sector investment, reflecting growing commercial confidence in biofortification.

What This Is

HPS works with government partners and key stakeholders to create an enabling environment for improved nutrition, strengthening national ownership of biofortification by integrating it into national and state level programs and policies.

What It Looks Like in Nigeria

Nigeria has adopted minimum standards for the release of biofortified vitamin A maize and iron pearl millet varieties. The Nigerian government recognizes biofortification as a key strategy for sustainably addressing malnutrition across the country. Our signature Annual Nutritious Food Fair brings together more than 5,000 stakeholders to advance nutrition.