Professor Ibrahim Sodangi, a distinguished agronomy expert and the Provost of the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at Kaduna State University (KASU), has raised concerns about the challenges facing ginger exportation in Nigeria. During a workshop organized by Mercy Corps on Tuesday in Kaduna, Prof. Sodangi highlighted the threat posed by both inflation and fungal diseases to the country’s ginger industry.
One significant issue, according to Prof. Sodangi, is the lack of standardized processing methods for ginger in Nigeria. This has led to products falling short of importers’ specifications in terms of microbiological, organoleptic, and chemical properties. He emphasized that Nigeria’s ginger export, which grossed N10 billion in 2023, may be jeopardized as the country may struggle to export only 30% of its ginger due to fungal infections.
The professor suggested using organic manure as a cost-effective and readily available method to control diseases. However, he acknowledged that inorganic manure is equally effective but more expensive. Prof. Sodangi expressed concern about the impact of inflation on the ginger industry, noting that while the government aims to intervene, challenges in the distribution of interventions hinder their effectiveness.
Highlighting the low consultation rates with government agriculture extension workers, Prof. Sodangi urged farmers to use disease-free seeds, practice crop rotation, adopt raised seedless planting to prevent stagnation, remove plant debris from storage, disinfect walls and floors, and employ disease-resistant varieties. He called on the government to support group formations, strengthen actors in the ginger value chain, and eliminate barriers to women’s participation in the ginger industry.
