Farmers abandon ginger cultivation over cost of seeds, disease

The ginger industry in Southern Kaduna, a key region in Nigeria’s global ginger market, is facing an unprecedented crisis. The price of ginger seeds has skyrocketed to N210,000 per bag, while fresh ginger now sells between N500,000 and N550,000 per bag. This surge in prices reflects the severe supply constraints caused by the devastating fungal disease outbreak in 2022, which led to massive crop failures and forced many farmers to abandon ginger farming altogether.

• Impact of the 2022 Fungal Disease Crisis
  Southern Kaduna farmers, once renowned for their high-quality ginger, suffered catastrophic losses when a fungal disease wiped out their crops, causing billions of naira in damages. Many farmers, such as Michael John from Kagarko Local Government Area, lost their entire investment and have been unable to return to ginger farming due to the high cost of seeds and other essential inputs. The crisis has forced farmers to shift to alternative crops like rice, beans, millet, turmeric, sweet potatoes, and maize, which provide lower returns than ginger.
• Drastic Decline in Ginger Supply
  The impact of the fungal disease and rising seed costs is evident in the sharp reduction in ginger supply. Marketers report that while they previously loaded over 200 trucks of ginger per week from November to January, they now struggle to fill even two trucks. The scarcity of ginger has driven prices to unsustainable levels, threatening the long-term stability of the ginger market in Southern Kaduna.

Key Factors Driving the Crisis

1. High Cost of Seeds: At N210,000 per bag, the cost of ginger seeds is out of reach for many farmers, preventing them from returning to production.
2. Scarcity of Quality Seeds: The fungal disease not only destroyed crops but also rendered many seeds unviable, creating an acute shortage.
3. Limited Government Support: Farmers report receiving little to no financial assistance, making it difficult to recover losses and restart ginger farming.
4. Lack of Training and Disease Management Strategies: Many farmers lack the knowledge and resources to prevent future outbreaks.
   Source: DailyTrust

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The decline in ginger farming poses significant economic and trade risks for Nigeria. As one of the world’s leading ginger producers, Nigeria’s weakened supply threatens its position in global markets. The crisis also impacts local economies, as thousands of farmers, marketers, and workers rely on ginger farming for their livelihoods. If the trend continues, the ripple effects could extend to related industries, including export trade, processing, and local food markets.

Recommendations for Reviving Ginger Farming in Southern Kaduna

1. Government Intervention: Establish model farms to propagate disease-resistant ginger seeds and distribute them at subsidized rates.
2. Research & Innovation: Invest in developing fungal-resistant ginger varieties and educate farmers on modern disease management techniques.
3. Financial Support: Provide low-interest loans, grants, and subsidies for affected farmers to help them recover.
4. Farmer Cooperatives & Advocacy: Encourage farmers to form strong associations to collectively advocate for their needs and access shared resources.
5. Market Stability Measures: Encourage contract farming and buyer agreements to provide price stability and reduce market volatility.
6. Public-Private Partnerships: Engage agribusiness companies, NGOs, and research institutions in developing sustainable solutions for ginger farming.

Conclusion
The current crisis is a wake-up call for all stakeholders. Without urgent and coordinated intervention, Southern Kaduna risks losing its standing as a major ginger-producing hub. Addressing these challenges through policy support, research, and financial aid will be crucial in restoring the industry’s resilience and ensuring long-term sustainability.