The National Ginger Association of Nigeria, NGAN, decries Lost of produce following the broad spectrum of fungal disease, causing ginger pandemic in the Southern part of Kaduna state, North-West Nigeria.
The Association, in collaboration with Non Farmer Initiative, has empowered 18 farmers with the sum of fifty thousand naira each.
This is just as the 2023 Ginger season in southern Kaduna suffered a serious setback due to the pandemic, counting lost of over 10 billion naira to the state’s economy.
The National President of the Ginger Association, Squadron Leader, Nuhu Daudu (Rtd.) while addressing Journalists in Kachia called on both the Federal and Kaduna state government to provide some “antidotes” to curb the menace of the disease.
Speaking further, he pleaded with the government to provide palliatives that could reduce hardship caused by the pandemic currently being experienced by the ginger farmers in Southern Kaduna.
On the output of the product, the national president explained that due to the lack of ginger processing plants, Nigerian ginger is unable to attract competitive prices in the world market.
“It is therefore logical to set up a Ginger processing plant in order to meet the international quality standard. The quality of our processed Ginger and its packaging have made our dear nation perform far below expectations in the ginger export around the world.” Daudu stressed.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman of Kachia Local Government, Honourable Aaron Bako and Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Queen Victor Sa’idu disclosed that Ginger is mainly the major source of the people’s livelihood in the LGA.
“These impoverished Ginger Farmers have equally contributed to the GDP of Nigeria. So, it is on this note that we are calling on the government to come to the aide of our people who have been badly affected by this strange disease.”
On his part, the representative of the Non Farmer Initiative, Captain Maikano Abdullahi Sara (Rtd), disclosed that the empowerment programme was aimed at cushioning the effect of the pandemic.
One of the beneficiaries, Rita Asabe, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed happiness, saying they were appreciative of the gesture and, as well, called on the government to come to their aid.
Shakirat Sadiq
