By Awyetu Asabe Hope
A newly developed indigenous chicken breed, MoorBeta, has been officially registered in Nigeria, raising optimism about improved poultry production and food security across the country.
The announcement was made in Ibadan on Thursday during the 36th meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries.
The meeting was hosted by the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and chaired by Prof. Soji Olufajo.
Developed by the Poultry Research Team of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, the MoorBeta breed is the result of over a decade of crossbreeding indigenous and exotic meat-type chickens.
Researchers say the breed is particularly suited for smallholder farmers, as it performs well under varying environmental conditions.
By 10 weeks, the bird attains an average weight of 2.8 kilogrammes, with improved feed efficiency and survival rates exceeding 95 per cent.
The chicken, which is predominantly white with speckles of brown, black or red, also has a large single comb and a well-developed body that supports higher meat yield.
Its tolerance to heat stress makes it suitable for tropical climates like Nigeria.
A cost analysis conducted in 2025 showed that farmers raising 100 birds could earn a net profit of over N278,000 within a 10-week production cycle, indicating strong commercial potential for both small-scale and commercial poultry operators.
Beyond its growth rate, the breed is said to produce tender meat with minimal cooking loss, making it attractive to consumers.
The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development welcomed the release, describing MoorBeta as a significant step towards improving local livestock breeds and enhancing food and nutrition security.
“The release of MoorBeta supports efforts to improve local livestock breeds, increase productivity, and strengthen food and nutrition security,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it would continue to collaborate with research institutions to boost farmers’ incomes.
At the same meeting, the committee also approved two new popcorn maize varieties, ARTPOP 001 and ARTPOP 002, developed by the same institute.
The institute noted that both the chicken breed and the maize varieties would contribute significantly to food production and agricultural development in Nigeria.
However, stakeholders have raised concerns about the accessibility of the new breed, citing the experience of ShikaBrown, a previously developed chicken by the National Animal Production and Research Institute, Zaria.
Despite its proven benefits, ShikaBrown has remained largely inaccessible to many smallholder farmers due to limited production capacity, which the institute attributes to inadequate funding.
Observers warn that without deliberate government support, sustained funding, and effective distribution strategies, MoorBeta may face similar challenges, limiting its potential impact on the poultry sector.
