Ginger farms in Nigeria are facing a dire threat from a mysterious disease that has ravaged over 2,500 hectares of farmland, estimated at N10 billion, across seven local government areas in Kaduna State, located in the northwest region of Nigeria.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ezra Yakusak, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, and other stakeholders conducted an assessment tour of the affected local government areas, expressing their deep concern over the situation.
After the tour, Yakusak referred to the destruction of ginger crops as a “mysterious pandemic” and assured affected farmers of the Council’s support.
Yakusak stated, “This is complete ruins. From what we have seen here, about 95 percent of ginger has been wiped away in Kaduna; this will affect our non-oil export performance. There is a need to be worried; this is a pandemic. All hands must be on deck to do what needs to be done by channelling efforts on eradicating the disease.”
He highlighted that Nigeria currently ranks as the fourth-largest producer of ginger globally, known for its pungent flavour, strong aroma, and high oil content. However, the situation in Kaduna State poses a significant threat to the world market. He emphasised the need for federal government intervention to address the crisis.
Yakusak assured that the government would continue supporting ginger farmers by providing seedlings, enhancing farmers’ capacity in seed dressing, acknowledging that it would be a challenging task but a necessary one.
Commissioner Murtala Dabo described the ginger pandemic as devastating and unprecedented. He stated that Nigeria’s position as the fourth-largest ginger producer worldwide is at risk due to an outbreak of fungal pathogen infections that have caused losses exceeding N10 billion, impacting 2,500 hectares of ginger farms across seven local government areas in the state.
The sole administrator of Jaba local government council, one of the affected areas, Mrs. Nita Byack George, highlighted the severe economic damage inflicted by the ginger pandemic. She explained that it had affected individuals’ lives and the local economy, causing significant distress among affected families who rely on ginger cultivation for their livelihoods.
