Following the recent ginger blight epidemic that affected farmers in the year 2022, the Federal Government under the National Agricultural Development Fund is targeting twelve thousand ginger farmers for support.
A representative of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Samuel Aende, who revealed this during the launching of sensitization on ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation in Kachia Local Government, stated that the programme is targeting five thousand ginger farmers in the first phase.
The sensitization programme which follows the earlier launching of Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce Support Initiative, supported by the Office of the Vice President, is in recognition of the importance of ginger farming in the country.
Samuel Aende pointed out that the choice of Kaduna State for the commencement of the intervention is based on the fact that the state is the leading ginger producing state in the country.
Aende further stressed the need for the farmers to be patient and collaborate with the initiative, stressing that the launching is a process aimed at achieving the target result.
Also speaking, the President, National Ginger Association of Nigeria, retired Squadron Leader Nuhu Daudu, said the programme was designed to cover Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the FCT.
Speaking on behalf of the General Manager, Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency, the Zonal Manager, Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency, Samaru Kataf Zone, David Jonathan, emphasized the State Government commitment in supporting the ginger farmers.
While appreciating the government on behalf of the farmers for the initiative, the Chairperson of Ginger Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kachia Local Government Branch, assured that the association would continue to ensure that only those that are affected benefit from the support.