In a significant move to assist ginger farmers devastated by the 2023 Blight epidemic, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has announced plans to support 5,000 ginger farmers in Kaduna State with free farming inputs. This initiative, under the Ginger Recovery, Advancement and Transformation for Economy Empowerment (GRATE) program, aims to rejuvenate ginger farming in affected areas.
GRATE, a Federal Government initiative, operates under the Ginger Blight Task Force of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, through NADF. The program commenced a three-day stakeholders' engagement and screening exercise across seven councils in Kaduna State, namely Kachia, Jaba, Kagarko, Zangon Kataf, Kaura, Jema’a, and Sanga Local Government Areas.
During the engagement, Samuel Aende, a representative of NADF, outlined the comprehensive support package for each farmer:
- Four 50kg bags of NPK 20.10.10 fertilizer
- Two 50kg bags of Urea fertilizer
- One 25kg bag of maize and sorghum hybrid seeds
- Herbicides and crop protection products, including fungicides and insecticides for crop rotation.
The initiative aims to counter the devastating impact of the Blight epidemic, which affected Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa States, and the Federal Capital Territory. Substantial funding has been allocated to improve and increase ginger yields.
David Jonathan from the Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency (KADA) emphasized that the program aligns with KADA's mission to empower rural agricultural communities. He noted that KADA, in partnership with NADF, is committed to the program's success and sustainability.
Jonathan also highlighted Governor Uba Sani's recent flag-off of support initiatives for smallholder farmers, facilitated by the Federal Government through NADF and in collaboration with the Kaduna State Government and KADA.
Nuhu Dauda, President of the National Ginger Farmers Association, expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his prompt intervention to support ginger farmers affected by the epidemic. Dauda stated, "Had this ginger pandemic erupted and Tinubu was not the president, we would have been in serious trouble."
Victoria Saidu, representing the Kachia council chairman and director of forestry, assured continuous collaboration with the state government and NADF to ensure good yields from ginger farming. She urged beneficiaries to utilize the inputs and information provided effectively to achieve profitable outcomes.
