New programme aims to revive Nigeria’s ginger sector after blight crisis
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) have launched a new initiative to restore Nigeria’s ginger industry after a devastating blight epidemic. The Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme was unveiled at NRCRI’s headquarters in Umudike, Abia State, with government officials and industry stakeholders in attendance. The programme is part of the NADF Ginger roadmap, aiming to rebuild production and strengthen the ginger value chain. Key figures, including Ernest Ihedigbo and Professor Ikechukwu Dallas Chima, highlighted the importance of research, collaboration, and investment in driving the industry’s recovery.
What we know
- NADF and NRCRI introduced the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme to address the impact of the ginger blight epidemic.
- The initiative will provide six metric tonnes of ginger rhizomes and support infrastructure for disease-free seed multiplication and sustainable seed systems.
- NRCRI has been selected as the South-East beneficiary, receiving support for laboratory equipment, energy, and digital infrastructure.
- About 6,000 farmers in Kaduna, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory previously benefited from improved seeds and pest management strategies through NADF interventions.
- Stakeholders, including representatives from the Nigerian Export Promotion Council and the National Ginger Association of Nigeria, emphasized the programme’s significance for economic growth and export competitiveness.
