National President of Ginger Association of Nigeria, Mr. Gagarin Madaki, has said that organic method of farming Ginger was the best way of addressing challenges faced by ginger farmers in the country.
Madaki asserted this while addressing participants on the launching products on Ginger/Turmeric disease outbreak solution and biotherbicide agriculture biotechnology in Kaduna on Wednesday.
He explained that after about 10 years research of ginger, they have looked at the current challenge that is affecting them, adding that they decided to come up with a solution that would help them especially in farming ginger.
This is just as he said that the practice is also in line with international best practice.
In his words, “from the test this year, we have discovered that ginger is produced organically which has a natural resistance from being affected by the problem that farmers faced last year.
“By encouraging organic method of farming ginger, l am very optimistic that the crop can be produced safely inline with international best practices,” he said.
He expressed worry that due to the problem ginger encountered last year, many of them were discouraged from farming the crop this year, adding that from the association, they had to work with a few farmers and emulate the way their parents used to farm ginger organically hoping for a better yield this year.
The National President further explained that organic way of farming ginger is not only the best form but it is environmentally safe, as “the food is safer and internationally there is a premium when you sell, they pay more”.
Earlier, Prof. Alimi Olasunkanmi Maruf of the Air Force lnstitute of Technology, Kaduna, said there is the need for farmers of ginger and other crops to come together to find solutions to the challenges they were facing in different parts of the country.
He said farmers needed to know what they can do to enhance their cultivation in order to get good yields and avoid the use of chemicals that affect lives and the soil.
He said there was need for researches to be applied for better harvest in the country and called on government to effectively use results in researches to boost the cultivation of different crops in order to enhance the standards of living in the country.
The chairman, Council of Yoruba traditional Obas and chiefs in the 19 Northern states and Abuja, Muhammed Arigbabuwo, called on stakeholders to prioritise local solutions, embrace science and technology as well as support initiatives that address challenges in education, agriculture, renewable energy, and unemployment.
He was of the believe hat resuscitating industrial parks and providing micro-credit loans will drive sustainable development.
Recall that gnger farmers in Kaduna state last year, suffered a devastating loss running into N10 billion as a result of fungi infection.
