Abuja: Some ginger farmers in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expressing uncertainty about the 2025 ginger planting season, citing a shortage of seedlings and other critical factors.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the farmers are calling for urgent intervention from the government and relevant stakeholders to address the situation.
NAN reports that ginger farmers suffered significant losses in 2023 due to a fungal disease, resulting in a considerable drop in ginger production and supply since then. The Federal Government estimated the losses to exceed N12 billion in 2024. Mr. Philip Akuso, a ginger farmer in Bwari, stated that the uncertainty of whether planting the crop would yield a good harvest is a 50-50 chance. Many farmers lack access to quality seedlings due to the devastating disease from the previous farming season, which has significantly increased ginger prices due to low supply.
Akuso explained that, since the 2023 incident, ginger scarcity in the market has caused prices to skyrocket. "As of December 2024, a bag of ginger sold for N350,000, but earlier this year, prices ranged between N650,000 and N800,000 at some point, though it has come down to about N700,000 now," he said. The situation is increasingly concerning for farmers in Bwari, who face not only a lack of quality seedlings but also financial and security challenges.
While some farmers managed to procure supplies from neighboring producing areas like Kachia and Jaba in Southern Kaduna, others could not afford to and have yet to recover from previous losses. "If you ask me, only the rich can venture into ginger production presently, as it involves significant capital, especially for purchasing good seedlings. Farmers in neighboring Kaduna State were successful last year and have stored some bags for sale and good seedlings for the next farming season," Akuso noted.
Akuso also mentioned that only a few farmers in Bwari were successful last year and are willing to try again, while others are hesitant due to past losses from fungal attacks on the crop. Nonetheless, he remains hopeful for a good yield by the year's end and urges the government to expedite research for a lasting solution.
Similarly, Mr. Somo Yakubu, another farmer in Bwari, managed to save at least two bags from the previous year's harvest for the upcoming planting season. He noted that most farmers in Kawu-Bwari were fortunate with their 2024 harvest as the disease did not attack crops until they were nearly ready for harvest. Yakubu, however, expressed concern over insecurity, which may deter many farmers from returning to their fields for fear of kidnapping.
Mrs. Phoebe Albert, a consumer and producer of hibiscus flower drink, expressed frustration over the high cost of ginger. She noted that even purchasing ginger worth N1,000 results in only four small pieces. "It's that bad, especially now that many people recognize ginger's benefits in organic foods, herbs, and spices. If it holds such economic value, the government should prioritize resolving this issue through urgent action," Albert concluded.