Nigeria has approved a new indigenous meat-type chicken, MoorBeta, developed to boost poultry production, improve farmer incomes, and strengthen food security, even as debates over agricultural biotechnology persist.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has announced the approval of a new indigenous meat-type chicken, MoorBeta, for commercialisation in Nigeria, as part of a broader strategy to strengthen poultry production and enhance food security across the country.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the ministry described the new breed as a significant milestone in efforts to improve local livestock genetics and support farmers.
"The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has welcomed the approval and release of MoorBeta, an improved indigenous meat-type chicken developed to support poultry production and food security in Nigeria," the statement said.
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It noted that MoorBeta was formally approved for release and registration on 26 March by the National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee during a meeting held at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The ministry explained that the chicken variety was developed by the Poultry Research Team at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, noting that MoorBeta is the product of over a decade of breeding work involving a mix of indigenous and exotic meat-type chickens.
"The breed is suited for smallholder farmers, with the ability to perform well under different environmental conditions across the country. At 10 weeks, MoorBeta reaches an average live weight of about 2.8kg, with improved feed efficiency and survival rates above 95 percent," the statement said.
The ministry added that it collaborated closely with the institute and was represented on the approving committee.
Beyond productivity, the ministry said the breed offers qualities attractive to consumers, describing the meat as tender and juicy, with minimal loss during cooking.
According to the statement, the bird is predominantly white, with speckles of brown, black or red, and features a large single comb and a well-developed body that supports higher meat yield. It also shows tolerance to heat stress, a critical advantage for poultry farming in tropical climates.
Economic projections further highlight its potential impact. A 2025 cost analysis shows that raising 100 birds could yield a net profit of over N278,000 within a 10-week production cycle, underscoring its viability for both smallholder and commercial poultry operators.
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The introduction of MoorBeta is expected to improve local livestock breeds, increase productivity, boost incomes, and reinforce national efforts to achieve food and nutrition security.
The ministry said it would continue to partner with research institutions and stakeholders to scale innovations that enhance agricultural performance nationwide.
However, the approval comes amid broader criticism surrounding the adoption of transgenic products in recent years, with some critics linking such innovations to health concerns including cancer, heart, and kidney-related diseases, and describing them as "chemical foods."
In the past decade, the government has approved several genetically modified seeds, sparking debates over safety, environmental impact, and socio-economic implications.
Earlier, PREMIUM TIMES reported that the National Biosafety Management Agency ordered the suspension of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria.
The varieties were said to have been registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries on 26 March 2026 without the requisite approval of the biosafety agency.
According to the agency, its findings confirmed that confined field trials and related activities involving the varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight.
The suspension underscores ongoing challenges around biosafety compliance and regulatory oversight in Nigeria's biotechnology sector.
