The National Ginger Association of Nigeria expressed deep concern on Thursday over a setback suffered during the 2023 ginger season in southern Kaduna. An attack by an ‘unidentified disease’ resulted in a loss of over N10 billion for the state’s economy.
Squadron Leader Nuhu Dauda (retd.), the National President of the Association, revealed this in Kachia, Kaduna State. He appealed to both the federal and state governments to take essential actions to control the impact of this disease and prevent further harm to ginger cultivation in the region.
In partnership with the Non-Farmers Initiative, the association empowered eighteen ginger farmers with N50,000 each in the Kachia Local Government Area of the state.
In an interview with journalists, Dauda further urged the governments to assist to mitigate the ongoing impact of the pandemic affecting ginger farms in the southern part of the state.
The NGAN boss, also disclosed that due to the lack of a Ginger Processing Plant, Nigeria’s ginger was unable to attract competitive prices in the world market.
“It is therefore logical to set up a Ginger Processing Plant to meet the international quality standard. The quality of our processed ginger and its packaging have made our dear nation to be performing far below expectation in ginger export around the world,” he said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Kachia LGA, Hon. Aaron Bako, said ginger remained the major source of livelihood for the people of Kachia.
“These impoverished ginger farmers have equally contributed to the GDP of Nigeria. So, it is on this note that we are calling on the governments to come to the aid of our people who have been badly affected by this strange disease,” he stated.
Meanwhile, on his part, the representative of the Non-Farmers Initiative, Captain Maikano Sara (retd), disclosed that the N50,000 donated to ginger farmers was targeted at empowering them to cushion the effect of the pandemic ravaging ginger farms in the area.
A beneficiary, Rita Asabe, while speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, expressed happiness over the gesture, saying, “We are appreciative of the gesture. We are also calling on the government to please come to our aid.”
