The South-South Chapter of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN) has called on government at all levels to invest in ginger farming, production and export as a means to diversify economic and generate foreign exchange as crude oil.
This call was made in Asaba by the Chairman of the Delta State Chapter of the NGAN, Harrison Opia, who implored governors of the region to support them by providing a guarantee to banks for them to access credits to improve ginger production and processing.
Ginger is an herbaceous flowering plant whose rhizome or root is widely used as herbal medicines, spices of bread in bakeries, and its uses in breweries to produce drinks among others.
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Nigerian ginger is highly regarded in the international market for its aroma, purgency and high oil and Aleoresin content. These and other factors make Nigeria to be the third largest exporter of the commodity in the world after China and India.
Opia boasted that success recorded by ginger farmers in the South-South region disapproves the assertion that ginger can only grow in the Northern part of Nigeria.
“Some of us who have worked in the gas industry decided to introduce the base approach to the farming of ginger as it is seen as a good crop that can compete with crude oil in the international market.” Opia noted
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The Commissioner of Agriculture, Delta State, Chief Julius Egbedi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Ben Agama commended the efforts of the ginger farmers in the region, pledging that the government is ready to support them to ensure agricultural development in the state.
Also, the Acting National President of NGAN, Hon. Mikah Adamu urged Federal and State governments to promote ginger value chain to provide employment and boost revenue as an alternative revenue for oil.
