The Ag. National President of Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN), Hon. Mikah Adamu, has posited that ginger as a farm produce is the third cash crop that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), as it provides the country revenue.
The Ag. National President stated this on Friday February 25th 2022, during the inauguration of the South-south Zonal executive of the association in Asaba, the Delta State capital.
He said the federal government should create a level playing ground to stakeholders in order for ginger farmers to showcase their worth in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrower’s programme comes 2022 wet season.
He called on the government to provide seedlings and machines that would enable the production of food quality and quantity to meet international standard of all agricultural practices.
Adamu, stressed the need for the federal and state governments to invest in ginger production to promote value chain which would provide employment and boost revenue as an alternative for oil.
He further charged the federal government to assist farmers through its Growth Enhancement Scheme (GES) by setting up more ginger companies from the local Government level where farmers are organized.
“The organization entails ginger farmers to register members from the ward levels, local government as well state levels to promote the value development chain development of ginger as a produce capable of boosting wealth creation, employment opportunities and improved Gross Domestic Product ( GDP) in Nigeria” he asserted.
He disclosed that the association comprises if Ginger farmers, processors, marketers as well as exporters.
The representative of the Delta State government, Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources Julius Egbedi, commended the association for their commitment.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Ben Agama, the governor, applauded them for the productivity in a short period of time.
He pledged the support of the state government to the advancement of agricultural sector of the state.
Also speaking, the Delta State Chairman of NGAN, Harrison Opia, noted that the success recorded by ginger farmers in the South-south disapproves the assertion that ginger could only do better in the northern part of country.
“Some of us who have worked in the gas industry decided to introduce the base approach to farming of ginger as it seen as a good crop that can compete with crude oil in the international market”.
He called on the support of the state government, saying “diversifying our economy through agriculture and ginger cultivation and processing to it’s value chain is the way to go.
“We call on the Government of our region to support us in providing guarantee to banks for us to access credits to fran ginger” he stated.
Meanwhile, the South-south Chapter of Association have charged government at all levels to invest in ginger farming and production as an equitable means to generate revenue as crude oil.
