September 23, 2025
ARTICLE
In 2023, HarvestPlus Nigeria broke this cycle with the rapid release and commercialization of the country’s first iron pearl millet (IPM) variety—all within a single year. This achievement marked a major shift toward efficiency optimization and strategic scaling, enabled by the innovative Accelerated Release and Commercialization (ARC) Model.
The ARC Model was designed to address bottlenecks across Nigeria’s seed value chain, moving beyond input intensification toward a more agile, market-responsive approach. Under the Propcom+ initiative, HarvestPlus collaborated with the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Lake Chad Research Institute to introduce two new iron pearl millet varieties tailored to Nigeria’s dual needs: improved nutrition and climate resilience.
By embedding climate-smart technologies and agronomic best practices, the ARC Model ensures that scaling efforts are sustainable and impactful, laying the groundwork for broader transformation across millet farming systems in northern Nigeria.
Traditionally, the Nigerian National Varietal Release Committee (NVRC) approves new varieties once a year—usually in December. With the iron pearl millet varieties ready in early 2023, the next standard release window was nearly a year away. Waiting that long would have eroded momentum and delayed benefits to farmers and consumers alike.
Recognizing this, HarvestPlus engaged the NVRC to advocate for an early release, emphasizing the urgency of tackling hidden hunger through biofortification. In response, the NVRC approved and conducted a special release event in January 2023. This milestone allowed iron pearl millet varieties to reach farmers with unprecedented speed.
One persistent barrier to commercializing new varieties is the slow ramp-up of Early Generation Seed (EGS) production. Seed companies often hesitate to invest without clear market signals and available stock. To overcome this, HarvestPlus, in coordination with the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) and NVRC, obtained special permission for pre-release bulking of EGS.
This early investment yielded two metric tons of foundation seed prior to official release—effectively jumpstarting the commercialization process. The model also brought private partners into the fold early, linking seed and grain value chains to streamline scale-up efforts.
Successful commercialization extends beyond production; it requires strong investment and dependable markets. HarvestPlus catalyzed both by mobilizing private sector actors across the millet value chain.
Premier Seeds, a leading seed company, launched an outgrower scheme valued at over NGN400 million (approximately USD 500,000), supplying farmers with EGS and fertilizers on credit. The program achieved an impressive 95 percent loan recovery rate and produced 300 metric tons of certified IPM seed in its first year.
Simultaneously, Dala Foods and Halilco Foods, two major millet processors, committed to integrating IPM into their operations following targeted product development efforts. Their combined off-take commitment—totaling around 5,000 metric tons of grain in 2023—offered smallholder farmers a reliable market and strong incentive to adopt the new variety.
The success of iron pearl millet’s commercialization has already begun influencing policy. NASC has invited HarvestPlus to help integrate biofortification into Nigeria’s national Seed Policy, opening the door to institutionalizing fast-track pathways for nutrient-rich and climate-smart crops.
More broadly, the ARC Model offers a blueprint for other countries seeking to accelerate the transition from input-heavy agriculture to efficient, scalable innovations. By streamlining processes, engaging the private sector, and aligning release with market demand, HarvestPlus has demonstrated a powerful pathway to increase productivity while advancing public health.
HarvestPlus and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency collaborated to achieve a groundbreaking milestone: harvesting iron-enriched pearl millet twice in one growing season in Jigawa State. The climate-smart crop developed with the support of HarvestPlus and its partners provide better yield and matures in just 65 days as compared to conventional varieties. These two harvests are playing a crucial role in improving productivity, nutrition, and livelihoods of vulnerable communities, especially benefiting smallholders.
The one-year commercialization of iron pearl millet in Nigeria is more than just a project milestone—it marks a critical transition in agricultural development strategy. By shifting from input intensification to system-wide efficiency, HarvestPlus has set a new precedent for how biofortified crops can move from lab to farm to market—quickly, strategically, and with lasting impact.