From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A fungal diseases, affecting Ginger production in Southern part of Kaduna state has caused the farmers to lose over N10 billion worth of ginger sales.
To this end, the National Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN) in collaboration with Non Farmer Initiative have empowered 18 farmers with the sum of N50,000.00 each.
The National President of the Ginger Association, Squadron Leader, N B. Daudu (rtd.), while addressing Journalists in Kachia on Wednesday called on both the Federal and Kaduna state governments to provide some antidotes to curb the menace of the disease.
According to Dauda, “Government should provide palliatives, as to reduce 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 lack of Ginger processing plant, 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 to be performing far below expectation in the Ginger export around the world”, Daudu said.
In their seperate remarks, the Chairman of Kachia Local Government, Hon. Aaron Bako and Director of Agriculture and Forestry, Queen Victor Saidu explained 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 Governments to come to the aide of our people who have been badly affected by this strange disease,” they said.
On his part, the representative of the Non Farmer Initiative, Captain Maikano Abdullahi Sara (rtd), disclosed that the empowerment programme aimed at cushioning the effect of the pandemic was organised recently.
One of the beneficiaries of the programme, Rita Asabe, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed happiness, saying: “we are appreciative of the gesture, and we are also calling on the government to please come to our aide.”
