By Miriam Humbe
Nigeria is yet to fully harness the economic benefits from growing ginger despite the national potential in the production of the crop; this is on account of low quality seeds and low use of technology among other challenges.
Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, (FMITI), Dr. Nasir Gwarzo said this in an address at the inauguration of the national executive committee of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria, (NGAN) in his office in Abuja.
On the positive side, the Permanent Secretary said that in 2019, Nigeria’s export of ginger amounted to $10.4million as reported by the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, (NEPC) in 2020.
He said: “This is by no means insignificant in a market of close to $3.0 billion. There is therefore, evident space for Nigeria to increase its exports by scaling up the production of ginger so that farmers can tap into the $3.0 billion global ginger market by exporting value added ginger products and earn more foreign exchange and job creation”.
He urged them to ensure the competitiveness of their products in the international market through quality enhancement, improved yield, mobilize investors and exchange of information, increased land area, good packaging, youth and women empowerment among others.
National President of NGAN, Squadron Leader Nuhu Daudu (Rtd), said that only 10 percent of ginger produced in the country is consumed locally, while the Nigerian ginger is exported to the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia and Sub Saharan Africa.
“If government can come in to support the association effectively, Nigeria will become largest ginger producing nation in the world”, he said.
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