News in Brief:
– Nigeria’s agriculture minister notes the devastating impact of the ginger blight epidemic and the efforts of the government and task force to address the crisis.
– Key strategies include developing disease-resistant varieties, promoting sustainable farming practices, and providing relief to affected farmers.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has charged the Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Task Force to accelerate efforts in finding a lasting solution to the devastating disease that has ravaged ginger crops in several Nigerian states.
He issued the directive while receiving the National Ginger Seed Roadmap from the task force after expressing gratitude for their work and commending the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for its swift response to the crisis.
Kyari also emphasised the essence of urgency to ensure that the country is prepared for the next planting season and prevent a recurrence of this disaster.
“Our farmers are counting on us, and we are committed to addressing these challenges,” he said.
The chairman of the task force, Engr. Abubakar Abdullahi, highlighted the impact of the ginger blight epidemic, which affected farmers in Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Abuja. He noted that the disease had significantly impacted livelihoods, calling for comprehensive measures to prevent future outbreaks.
Strategies to combat disease
The task force identified several strategies to combat ginger blight in Nigeria. They suggested shifting cultivation practices, crop rotation, using clean ginger seeds, developing disease-resistant varieties, and establishing ginger multiplication centers.
The NADF, under the leadership of Mr. Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, is said to have played a pivotal role in providing relief to affected farmers and supporting the development of the roadmap documeny. The organisation’s interventions included providing relief materials, promoting crop rotation, and investing in ginger seed cultivation.
It will be recalled that the devastating ginger blight disease had ravaged farms in the northern region of the country causing losses estimated at over ₦12 billion.
Consequently, in response to the crisis, the federal government established a National Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce to address the outbreak. Additionally, it pledged a ₦1.6 billion recovery package to support affected ginger-producing regions.
Overall, the Minister’s directive aims to find a sustainable solution to the ginger blight epidemic. It also ensures the future viability of the cash crop in Nigeria.
