News in brief:
– Rising ginger seed costs and a devastating fungal disease have forced many Southern Kaduna farmers to abandon cultivation.
– The decline in ginger farming threatens Nigeria’s position in the global market and increases local economic hardship.
Farmers in Southern Kaduna are abandoning ginger cultivation due to the soaring costs of seeds and the lingering effects of a devastating fungal disease that struck in 2022.
Ginger seed prices have reached an all-time high of ₦210,000 per bag, while fresh ginger is selling for ₦500,000 to ₦550,000 per bag, a news report claimed.
These skyrocketing costs, coupled with the aftermath of the fungal outbreak, have left many farmers unable to continue cultivating the once-lucrative crop.
The fungal disease crisis of 2022
In 2022, a fungal disease ravaged ginger farms across Southern Kaduna, wiping out crops worth billions of naira. This crisis forced farmers to shift focus to other crops, such as rice, maize, and sweet potatoes, in a desperate attempt to recover from their losses.
Michael John, a farmer from Kagarko Local Government Area, recounted his experience.
“Before the fungal pandemic, I harvested 350 bags of ginger annually. The disease wiped out my investment, and the rising cost of seeds now makes it almost impossible to return to ginger farming,” he said.
Like many others, John lamented the lack of financial support, including grants or loans, to help farmers recover.
Decline in ginger supply
The high cost of seeds and fear of another fungal outbreak have led to a drastic decline in ginger production.
“From November to January, we used to load over 200 trucks of ginger weekly. This year, we barely manage to load two trucks a week,” Babangida Abubakar, a marketer in Kafanchan, noted.
“If farmers continue to abandon ginger farming, we may face a total collapse of the ginger market in Southern Kaduna,” Rebecca Yakubu, another marketer, warned of the unsustainability of current market dynamics.
At ₦210,000 per bag, ginger seed prices are now unaffordable for many farmers. The fungal disease not only destroyed crops but also rendered many seeds unsuitable for replanting. Farmers who salvage seeds are selling them at exorbitant rates, further deepening the crisis.
Calls for intervention
Agriculturists and farmers are calling on the government to intervene. Yusuf Danjuma, an agriculturist, proposed the establishment of model farms to propagate quality ginger seeds under controlled conditions. He also urged farmers to be educated on disease prevention and management.
“Ginger farming feels like gambling. Without support from the government, the risks are too high,” a ginger farmer Usman Yohannah from Kachia Local Government expressed concerns.
“Ginger farming was my main source of income. Now, I farm sweet potatoes and maize, but the returns are not the same,” Mary Audu, a farmer from Godogodo, similarly said.
Economic and social implications
Southern Kaduna, known for producing some of the world’s finest ginger, risks losing its position in the global market. The reduced supply has not only increased local prices but also affected Nigeria’s export capacity, threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and workers.
Stakeholders, including the government and private sector, must act swiftly to address the challenges. Alhaji Muhammad D. Kassim, chairman of the Ginger and Turmeric Marketers Association, emphasised the need for research into disease-resistant ginger varieties and modern farming techniques.
Shedrack Michael, a youth leader from Kagarko, called for financial support. “Farmers need grants or low-interest loans to recover. Subsidised seeds would reduce the financial burden and encourage farmers to return to ginger farming,” he urged.
As the crisis continues, the urgent need for coordinated action becomes clearer. With the right support, Southern Kaduna can once again thrive as a hub for high-quality ginger production.
