…NGOs Wade In To Support Affected Farmers
The National President of the Ginger Association of Nigeria, Sqn Leader, N.B Daudu (rtd) has appealed to both the Federal and Kaduna State government to provide some antidotes to curb the menace of a strange disease which hit Ginger Farms in Southern Kaduna.
He notes that the 2023 Ginger season in Southern Kaduna had suffered serious setback due to the pandemic, counting loss of over 10 billion Naira to the State’s
economy.
The National President who was addressing newsmen in Kachia Wednesday said following the broad spectrum of fungal diseases, causing the pandemic in the ginger producing area, the association in collaboration with Non Farmer Initiative have however empowered 18 farmers with the sum of fifty thousand naira each.
“Government should provide palliatives, as to reduce the adverse effects currently being experienced by the Ginger farmers in Southern Kaduna, he emphasized
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 impoverish 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 empowernment programme is aimed at cushioning the effect of the pandemic.
One of the beneficiaries, 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.”