By George George Idowu
The Federal Government has officially recognized the outbreak of a ginger blight epidemic affecting farms in four states across Nigeria: Kaduna, Nassarawa, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory.
This revelation came to light during the inauguration of the National Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce in Abuja on Monday, led by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi.
Expressing deep concern, Abdullahi highlighted the profound impact of the blight not only on farmers’ livelihoods but also on Nigeria’s position as the world’s second-largest ginger producer.
He emphasized the staggering losses incurred, particularly in southern Kaduna, where preliminary estimates suggest losses exceeding N12 billion.
The affected region, he noted, accounts for over 85% of Nigeria’s ginger cultivation, with potential losses of cultivated land surpassing 70% of the total.
In response to the crisis, the Federal Government announced plans to launch a N1.6 billion recovery package through the National Agricultural Development Fund for affected farmers in ginger-producing areas.
This initiative aims to provide crucial support to farmers grappling with the aftermath of the epidemic, offering a lifeline to those severely impacted.
Furthermore, Abdullahi stressed the importance of preparedness in safeguarding agricultural resources, highlighting the need for investments in research, extension services, and farmer support systems to ensure a more sustainable future for the agricultural sector.
Abubakar Abdullahi, chairing the task force committee, echoed concerns about the adverse effects of the ginger blight on the Gross Domestic Product earnings from the subsector.
He emphasized the urgency of implementing measures to mitigate these negative effects and expressed the committee’s commitment to addressing the situation effectively.
Abdullahi also appealed to the minister for the committee to have the authority to co-opt members who can contribute valuable expertise to the task force, ensuring its efficiency and effectiveness in executing its duties.