Federal Government has said it will launch a N1.6 billion package for farmers in Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau and Federal Capital Territory, whose farms were damaged by fungal ginger disease in 2023.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who spoke at the inauguration of the ginger blight epidemic committee task force in Abuja yesterday said, preliminary estimates suggest affected farmers in Southern Kaduna lost over N12 billion.
He lamented that the blight caused billions in losses, impacting livelihoods and Nigeria’s position as the world’s second-largest ginger producer.
Kyari, represented by his Minister of State, Aliyu Abdullahi, said the inauguration would be followed by a state level ceremony tomorrow in Kaduna where the task force through the National Agriculture Development Fund (NADFund) is launching the package for affected farmers.
He noted Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu, recognises the role ginger plays in the economy.
He promised that the ministry would support farmers and prevent future outbreaks.
“In supporting affected farmers, we are committed to providing financial assistance and resources to help farmers recover from their losses.
“We are investing in research and development to understand the fungal blight, developing prevention and mitigation strategies and seed multiplication – the technical and research committee under National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), proposes to establish a 20-hectare land for clean ginger seed cultivation and multiplication.
“We will enhance agricultural extension services, equipping farmers with knowledge and best practices to prevent future crop diseases.
“It is with this multi-pronged approach that we launch the ginger blight epidemic committee task force.
“This task force will serve as the cornerstone of our response going forward, bringing together expertise of researchers, extension agents, and dedicated farmers. Together, we will overcome this challenge and build a more resilient ginger industry.
“The ginger blight epidemic serves as a reminder of the importance of preparedness in safeguarding agricultural resources. By investing in research, extension services, and farmer support systems, we can build a more sustainable future for our agricultural sector, ensuring Nigeria’s food security and continued success as a leading global ginger producer”, Kyari said.
