Nigeria approves new chicken breed “MoorBeta” to expand poultry production

Nigeria has approved a new locally developed meat-type chicken, MoorBeta, for commercial production, marking a push to improve poultry output and strengthen food supply systems in the country.

The approval was announced by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development following a decision by the National Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds Registration and Release Committee during a meeting held on 26 March at the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology in Ibadan.

The bird was developed by researchers at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training after more than ten years of breeding work combining indigenous and exotic meat-type chickens. According to the ministry, the variety is designed for smallholder and commercial farmers and performs well under varied environmental conditions.

At 10 weeks, MoorBeta reaches an average live weight of about 2.8kg. The ministry also reported feed efficiency improvements and survival rates above 95 percent, factors expected to reduce production risks for farmers.

Officials said the breed was assessed for both productivity and consumer qualities. Its meat is described as tender, with low moisture loss during cooking. The birds are predominantly white, with occasional brown, black, or red speckling, and have a large single comb with a well-developed body structure that supports higher meat yield.

The ministry projected that farmers raising 100 birds per cycle could record net returns of over ₦278,000 within a 10-week production period, based on 2025 cost estimates.

The government said the release aligns with efforts to strengthen livestock genetics and improve food security through research-driven interventions, in collaboration with institutions including the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training and oversight participation from the ministry.

The development comes amid continued public debate in Nigeria over biotechnology in agriculture. Critics have raised concerns about genetically modified and transgenic agricultural products, particularly around safety and regulatory oversight.

Nigeria has previously approved several genetically modified crop varieties, which have triggered ongoing discussions on biosafety standards and environmental compliance. The National Biosafety Management Agency has also recently moved to suspend some transgenic crop varieties over reported breaches of approval procedures.

The introduction of MoorBeta is expected to expand local poultry options, improve productivity, and support income growth across the livestock value chain.