Ginger farmers numbering about 100,000 across the country have asked the Federal Government to intensify interventions in the sector to salvage the ginger industry from total collapse. The call was made by Chief farmer, Jerry Tobi, on behalf of the group, while speaking on the essence of their concerns over the threats facing the industry. He therefore, appealed to the Federal Government to consider the plight of ginger farmers following several factors plaguing ginger production in the country. According to Tobi, Nigeria’s ginger production before the crisis was estimated to be 523,000 metric tonnes annually, which he said that the global price of ginger fluctuated between $2,000 $3,000 per metric tonnes, and that at an average price of $2,500 per tonne, Nigeria’s ginger was worth $1.3 billion annually in the international market.
He said that the ₦6 billion facility disbursed by President Bola Tinubu in 2024 through National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, to support the sector alone was not enough to address the deep-rooted challenges facing Nigeria’s ginger farmers. He said “I am compelled to raise an urgent alarm regarding the devastating crisis that threatens not only the livelihoods of farmers but also Nigeria’s comparative advantage in the global ginger market. For decades, Nigeria has been one of the world’s leading producers of ginger, supplying both local and international markets. However, today, this sector is on the brink of collapse due to rampant fungal infections, lack of access to disease-resistant seed varieties, and skyrocketing production costs. This is not merely an agricultural problem; it is an economic disaster and a national security threat. Ginger farming in Nigeria has become nearly impossible due the Ginger Blight fungal infections quality seeds, and without immediate intervention, our once-thriving ginger industry may vanish like rhizome rot and bacterial wilt, which have devastated yields. Farmers are unable to afford
completely.
“Due to disease outbreaks, high seed costs, and poor government support: Farmers have lost over 90% of their expected yields; Monthly Loss: $65.4 million (₦103 billion). At an average price of $2,500 per ton, this translates to a loss of $784.5 million (₦1.2 trillion) annually. This means Nigeria has lost an estimated 313,800 metric tonnes of ginger in one year. Daily Loss: $2.1 million (₦3.3 billion). Issues facing ginger farmers; Over 100,000 ginger farmers are affected, with many losing their entire investments; High Cost of Production: While the global production cost of ginger is around $2,000 –$3,000 per metric tonnes, in Nigeria, it has surged to $10,000 per metric ton, making our ginger uncompetitive in the global market. Soaring Seed Costs: The price of ginger seeds has escalated beyond reach,farmers are forced to pay over ₦300,000 per bag and you would need up to 30 bags for an hectare making it impossible for them to plant.
“Declining Yields Due to Disease: Farmers have reported over 90% yield losses due to rural-urban migration, and worse still, youth unemployment fuels insecurity and banditry farmers in affected regions are facing economic despair. This has led to an increase in Export Market at Risk: Nigeria, once a dominant exporter, is losing its market share to India and China, who are now expanding into our traditional export destinations. Threat to National Security:With ginger farming becoming unprofitable, many young farmers in affected regions are facing economic despair. This has led to rural-urban migration, and worse still, youth unemployment fuels insecurity and worse still, youth unemployment fuels insecurity and
banditry.”
Meanwhile, he (Olanrewaju) warned that following the impact on farmers and the economy, “If the government fails to act, Nigeria risks total exclusion from the international ginger; 100,000 farmers are losing between ₦10 million –₦15 million annually per farm. “This amounts to a total loss of ₦1 trillion for farmers alone. exchange earnings, increased unemployment, and worsening insecurity in rural areas. Many farmers are abandoning ginger farming altogether, leading to reduced foreign market, further exacerbating our foreign exchange crisis.” However, he counseled the government to urgently move to ensure the ginger industry remains intact.
