As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s position as the world’s second-largest producer of ginger, farmers in Kaduna have been trained to make ginger production more competitive and sustainable, to position farmers for stronger participation in domestic and international markets.
Programme Manager, Mr. Ismail Rilwan, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during the Empowering Resilient Ginger Farmers (ERGF) project closeout meeting with LAPO Microfinance Bank.
The programme, facilitated by Mercy Corps with support from donor TAZO, has empowered 9,383 farmers in Kaduna State under the ERGF project (March 2023 – August 2025) across four local government areas of Southern Kaduna including; Kachia, Jaba, Sanga and Jemaa, known as the “ginger triangle”.
The Programme Manager noted that Kaduna contributes about 90 per cent of Nigeria’s ginger output, yet farmers continue to face challenges including weak seed systems, recurring crop diseases, high input costs, and poor access to finance.
He said the ERGF project was designed to address these constraints by improving seed systems, promoting sustainable practices, and enhancing financial inclusion.
According to him, at least 51 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries are women, with the goal of boosting productivity and income while building resilience against agricultural and economic shocks.
“The project is not only about raising yields but also about strengthening livelihoods and promoting stability in ginger farming communities,” he said.
