By Becky Usman

There is promising news for consumers as prices of bread and pasta may soon witness a significant decline. This development comes as the Federal Government has introduced high-yield varieties of wheat to farmers across the country.

In a bid to enhance food security, sustainability, and self-sufficiency, the Federal Government approved ten new crop varieties, including wheat, through the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries. The decision was made during the committee’s 32nd meeting held at the National Centre For Genetic Resources And Biotechnology (NACGRAB) in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State.

Among the newly approved crops are four varieties of wheat, four varieties of potatoes, and two synthetic maize varieties. The Technical Sub-Committee had previously submitted these crops for consideration during its 36th meeting.

The four new wheat varieties consist of two bread wheat varieties, namely Borlaug100 and Neloki, and two durum-wheat varieties, Crino and Bayoreca. These varieties were submitted by the Lake Chad Research Institute in Maiduguri, Nigeria, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre in Mexico, and the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria.

Stakeholders present at the meeting, including Dr. Zakari Turaki from the Cereal Research Department of the Lake Chad Research Institute, Mr. Hamed Abdulahi from the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), Prof. Babagana Kabir, Director/CEO of the Lake Chad Research Institute in Maiduguri, and Dr. Anthony Okere, Registrar of NACGRAB, unanimously agreed that the new wheat varieties are highly productive. They believe that these varieties will play a crucial role in reducing the country’s reliance on wheat imports, which currently contributes to the high cost of bread and pasta.

With the introduction of these high-yield wheat varieties, there is optimism that bread and pasta prices will soon experience a decline, bringing relief to consumers and contributing to improved food security in the nation.