The Federal Government has launched a major intervention aimed at reviving Nigeria’s ginger industry following the devastating ginger blight epidemic that disrupted production across key growing states and affected thousands of farmers.
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), in partnership with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, unveiled the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme (GVCRSP) at the institute’s headquarters in Abia State.
The initiative forms part of the NADF ginger roadmap developed in response to the disease outbreak that severely impacted one of Nigeria’s most important non-oil export commodities.
Government officials, researchers, development partners, commodity associations and private sector players attended the unveiling to discuss strategies for restoring production and building a stronger and more resilient ginger value chain.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, the General Manager, Technical Services, Ernest Ihedigbo, described the programme as a major demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning agriculture as a key driver of economic diversification, food security and export growth under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the partnership with NRCRI reflects NADF’s responsibility as the Federal Government’s catalytic financing institution dedicated to transforming agricultural policies into sustainable investments that support research, innovation and national food sovereignty.
According to him, meaningful agricultural transformation requires strong research institutions, modern technologies and strategic investments that can bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and commercial production.
Ihedigbo disclosed that NADF is implementing two flagship interventions to support agricultural development.
The first intervention focuses on strengthening selected agricultural research institutes across the country through investments in modern laboratories, biotechnology facilities, irrigation infrastructure, renewable energy systems, digital platforms and innovation hubs.
He announced that NRCRI has been selected as the South-East beneficiary in the first phase of the programme and will receive support covering digital infrastructure, energy facilities and the installation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
According to him, the intervention will improve research infrastructure, strengthen the capacity of scientists and researchers, encourage demand-driven research and deepen collaboration between research institutes and farmers.
He added that the programme will also promote the commercialisation of agricultural technologies and create opportunities for partnerships with international research organisations.
The second intervention under the initiative is the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme, which is specifically designed to rebuild the industry after the 2023 ginger blight epidemic.
The outbreak caused major losses for farmers, reduced export earnings and exposed structural weaknesses across the value chain.
As part of the recovery programme, NADF will provide six metric tonnes of ginger rhizomes and support infrastructure for germplasm conservation, disease-free seed multiplication, tissue culture propagation, adaptive field preservation and sustainable seed system development.
Ihedigbo revealed that NADF had previously participated in the Federal Government’s Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce through the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) Programme.
Through the intervention, about 6,000 farmers in Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory received improved seeds, alternative crop inputs and support for integrated pest management aimed at controlling the outbreak and restoring livelihoods.
“Moving beyond social impact interventions, the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme is designed to drive recovery, resilience and long-term transformation of the ginger sub-sector,” he said.
Representing the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Cliff Agbeze, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ijeoma Adamma Agoha, said the collaboration between NADF and NRCRI demonstrates the importance of strategic partnerships in solving challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
She commended NADF for selecting NRCRI as one of the beneficiaries, noting that the decision acknowledges the institute’s research capabilities and the growing role of Abia State as a centre for agricultural innovation in the South-East.
Agoha noted that the ginger blight epidemic affected thousands of farmers, reduced the availability of quality planting materials and exposed vulnerabilities within the industry.
“The response we are launching today goes beyond recovery. It is about rebuilding stronger systems, restoring farmers’ confidence, and ensuring long-term sustainability through science, technology and innovation,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of NRCRI, Professor Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, the Director of Root Crops Research, Dr Adeyemi Olojede, described the programme as a timely intervention capable of addressing some of the critical challenges facing Nigeria’s ginger industry.
He stressed the need for stakeholders to work together in developing practical solutions that will restore production and strengthen resilience across the value chain.
Olojede said the collaboration would provide the financial and institutional support required to convert scientific ideas into practical solutions that benefit farmers and the wider economy.
Also speaking, the representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Morrison Udo, described ginger as one of Nigeria’s priority non-oil export commodities.
He expressed confidence that the intervention would help address challenges relating to funding, infrastructure, disease management and policy support.
Professor Ikechukwu Dallas Chima, who represented the National President of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN), said the initiative carries significant economic importance for the country.
According to him, the global ginger market is expected to exceed three billion dollars in the coming years, adding that Nigeria must not lose its competitive position in the international market.
He commended NADF for supporting NRCRI’s scientific efforts and urged stakeholders to work together to establish a sustainable foundation for long-term growth in the sector.
Participants at the event were also taken through presentations highlighting NRCRI’s mandates and recent innovations in crop improvement, biotechnology and disease management.
They later toured the institute’s ginger, cassava and yam facilities, tissue culture laboratories and screenhouses, where ongoing research projects aimed at accelerating agricultural transformation were showcased.
