By Felicia Imohimi
The Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, says the Fund has launched the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme (GVCRSP) with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI).
Ibrahim said the programme is designed to rebuild the ginger value chain and support farmers affected by the 2023 ginger blight outbreak.
Represented by NADF General Manager, Technical Services, Ernest Ihedigbo, he said the initiative forms part of the Fund’s ginger recovery roadmap developed after the outbreak.
According to him, the epidemic disrupted production, affected thousands of farmers, reduced export earnings and exposed structural weaknesses within the ginger value chain.
He said NADF would provide six metric tonnes of ginger rhizomes and support germplasm conservation, disease-free seed multiplication and sustainable seed system development.
Ibrahim described the programme as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to agricultural transformation, food security, economic diversification and export competitiveness.
He said the initiative also reaffirmed NADF’s mandate to translate agricultural policies into sustainable investments that strengthen research, innovation and national food sovereignty.
The executive secretary stressed that agricultural transformation requires strong research institutions, modern technologies and strategic investments linking research to production and markets.
He said NADF is implementing a flagship intervention to strengthen selected agricultural research institutes as centres of excellence across the country.
According to him, the intervention includes investments in laboratories, biotechnology facilities, renewable energy systems, irrigation infrastructure, digital platforms and innovation hubs.
Ibrahim said NRCRI was selected as the South-East beneficiary and would receive support for energy and digital infrastructure as well as laboratory equipment.
He noted that the intervention would strengthen research capacity, promote innovation, improve farmer linkages and support the commercialisation of agricultural technologies.
The NADF boss said the Fund had earlier supported the Federal Government’s Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce through the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment Programme.
He said about 6,000 farmers in Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory received improved seeds, alternative crop inputs and integrated pest management support.
According to him, the intervention helped contain the disease outbreak, restore livelihoods and lay the foundation for long-term recovery of the ginger sub-sector. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
FUA/TAK
Edited by Tosin Kolade