The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has announced plans to provide N1.6 billion worth of inputs to ginger farmers in three states, aiming to mitigate the impact of the ongoing blight epidemic affecting ginger farmlands nationwide.
The initiative, unveiled at the launch of the Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Task Force support program in Kaduna, aims to support and stimulate the growth of the ginger industry. Mohammed Ibrahim, the secretary of NADF, revealed that approximately 15,000 ginger farmers in Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Abuja had been affected by the recent epidemic, resulting in a significant decline in production and export of the commodity.
Ibrahim detailed the support package, known as the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) package, which includes various inputs valued at N1.6 billion. ”This support includes hectare input packs, termed the GRATE package, consisting of high-yielding seed varieties, fertilisers, and fungicides,” he stated.
Highlighting the importance of ginger farming, Marian Moon, a technical assistant in agriculture, emphasised that the presidency is prioritising agriculture and ginger farming as part of the government’s renewed agenda programme.
She noted that Nigerian ginger is highly sought after globally, with countries like Mexico showing interest in its cultivation due to its quality. The initiative comes as a response to the challenges faced by ginger farmers due to the blight epidemic, aiming to revitalise the sector and boost production.
With ginger exports already showing promising revenue figures, the support from NADF is expected to aid farmers in overcoming the current crisis and further capitalise on the potential of the ginger industry.