Smallholder ginger farmers in Kaduna State, numbering out 5,000 have received input from the federal government to ameliorate the losses suffered in the 2023 farming season as a result of ginger blight disease.
Following the attack of the disease on farms, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) initiated a programme to distribute inputs like maize and sorghum seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and crop protection products to farmers across seven affected local government areas in the state.
Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, announced the launch of the intervention programme in Kachia, highlighting its role in the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) initiative.
According to him, the programme aims to assist smallholder ginger farmers in recovering from economic losses caused by the disease, by promoting crop rotation and enhancing their livelihoods.
He said the agency will provide monitoring, evaluation, and market linkages, along with promoting good agronomic practices to strengthen the ginger value chain.
Deputy governor of the state, Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, expressed gratitude to the federal government for the support and pledged continued collaboration to uplift smallholder farmers and alleviate poverty.
