The National Ginger Association of Nigeria has acknowledged the Federal Government for releasing N1.9 billion (US$1.27 million) in palliatives to address the impact of the ginger blight disease that damaged farmlands in 2023.
The association's National President, Nuhu Dauda, made the remarks during a stakeholders' meeting and the inauguration of new members in Kaduna. He explained that the intervention, facilitated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, provided relief to farmers who suffered extensive losses.
"The minister acted with dispatch. That is why we successfully had some support from the Federal Government, where they spent around N1.9 billion to support ginger farmers by way of providing palliatives," he said.
Dauda noted that the aid, while welcomed, was not enough compared to the scale of the damage, as about 80 percent of ginger farmers were affected by the disease. He stressed the importance of a two-pronged strategy involving compensation for affected farmers and sustainable disease management.
"We cannot allow this to continue. That is why all stakeholders have come together to find a solution. Up till today, the government is still trying to see, to find a solution to see that the loss is being compensated. But we are not only talking about the compensation, but let us continue, let the farmers continue to farm ginger and let the blight disease come to a final halt," he added.
The association also announced a partnership with global agribusiness firm Dimitra International to introduce modern farming practices aimed at reducing the risk of future outbreaks. Through the initiative, 6,000 ginger farmers are expected to benefit from improved systems supported by government-backed measures.
Alhaji Muttaka Isah, President of the Dawano Market Development Association and a board member of the Ginger Association, highlighted the strain faced by growers in recent years. He said that Nigeria, once the world's second-largest producer of ginger, had lost ground internationally due to repeated outbreaks.
"We want to reclaim that position. The government must assist with empowerment to revive this important industry," he stated.
Stakeholders concluded that while palliatives address short-term needs, long-term solutions, empowerment, and sustained investment are necessary to restore farmer livelihoods and reposition Nigeria as a major ginger producer.
Source: Punch
