The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, have launched the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme (GVCRSP), a strategic intervention designed to revive Nigeria’s ginger industry following the devastating ginger blight epidemic that significantly reduced production across major growing regions.
The programme was officially unveiled at the headquarters of the NRCRI in Umudike, Abia State, bringing together government officials, agricultural researchers, development partners, farmers’ associations, and private-sector stakeholders committed to rebuilding the nation’s ginger value chain.
Speaking at the event, representatives of NADF described the initiative as a critical step toward restoring the productivity of Nigeria’s ginger sector, which suffered severe losses due to the outbreak of ginger blight disease that affected thousands of farmers and disrupted export activities.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, represented by the General Manager of Technical Services, Mr. Ernest Ihedigbo, said the programme aligns with the Federal Government’s broader agenda of promoting agricultural development, food security, economic diversification, and increased export earnings.
According to him, the recovery programme will focus on providing disease-resistant planting materials, strengthening research and development efforts, and improving sustainable production practices across the ginger value chain.
As part of the intervention, NADF announced the provision of six metric tonnes of quality ginger rhizomes and investments in key agricultural infrastructure, including germplasm conservation facilities, tissue culture laboratories, disease-free seed multiplication systems, adaptive field preservation facilities, and sustainable seed development programmes.
The agency noted that the initiative is expected to enhance the availability of healthy planting materials, improve resilience against future disease outbreaks, and increase productivity among ginger farmers nationwide.
NADF also disclosed plans to strengthen agricultural research institutions through its Centres of Excellence Programme. Under the initiative, selected institutions will receive support in biotechnology, laboratory modernization, irrigation systems, renewable energy infrastructure, digital agriculture platforms, and innovation hubs. NRCRI has been selected as the South-East beneficiary in the programme’s first phase.
The Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme builds on the successes of the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) Programme, which previously supported thousands of farmers in Kaduna, Plateau, and the Federal Capital Territory with improved inputs and integrated pest management solutions.
