Ginger farmers in dilemma as seed hits N550,000 per bag

Many farmers have said ginger production may decline this year, as a 100kg bag of fresh ginger seed for planting now costs about N550,000. Our correspondent, who visited some ginger-producing communities in Kaduna State, reports that farmers have become increasingly worried due to the sharp rise in the price of ginger seeds at a time […]

Many farmers have said ginger production may decline this year, as a 100kg bag of fresh ginger seed for planting now costs about N550,000.

Our correspondent, who visited some ginger-producing communities in Kaduna State, reports that farmers have become increasingly worried due to the sharp rise in the price of ginger seeds at a time they are preparing for the rainy season.

Ginger production has been under pressure due to a fungal disease that ravaged farms across major producing states. Since 2024, prices have continued to rise and, despite federal government intervention, the situation has remained largely unchanged.

A farmer in Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, John S. Hatan, told Daily Trust that ginger seeds are more expensive this year because of the blight disease, which has significantly reduced production. He added that many farmers are yet to recover from the losses caused by the outbreak.

He said the disease has paralysed production activities, as many farmers lost their entire harvest, while the cost of seeds needed to restart farming has become prohibitive.

He explained that before the outbreak, almost every farmer cultivated ginger, but now many struggle to get even a few seeds to plant because of the high cost, with a bag selling for about N550,000.

“Now, some farmers do not have a single ginger seed because of the damage caused by the disease. It is as if ginger production is coming to an end. Some farmers are supporting others with seeds because they cannot afford to buy.

“This year, I planted about 10 bags of ginger seeds. Some planted 100 bags, some two bags, and some even half a bag. Others have given up on farming because they cannot afford seeds due to the high cost. Before the disease outbreak, I planted about 150 bags of ginger seeds.

“Before the outbreak, there were farmers who planted up to 1,000 bags of ginger seeds in their fields. Despite the losses we suffered, we did not receive any support from the government. Many of us did not get help from any quarter. Therefore, we call on the government to support farmers so they can recover,” Hatan said.

Another ginger farmer in Kachia, Ibrahim Shagbo, said ginger has become too expensive for many farmers who want to go into production.

He said the price of ginger seeds has been rising steadily in recent weeks, noting that about two weeks ago, a bag sold for N450,000 but now costs N550,000.

“Before the outbreak of the ginger blight disease, I planted more than 100 bags of ginger seeds. But this year, I planted only four bags because of the problem. Now, some farmers are unable to grow ginger because the cost of seeds is too high.

“We are calling on the government to support ginger farmers because many do not know how to overcome this challenge and resume cultivation, as they have lost everything and are in a difficult situation,” Shagbo said.

A farmer in Saminaka, Kaduna State, Peter Adamu, said he would not plant ginger this year, as he is struggling due to the seeds he preserved drying up because of the disease.

He said seeds have become very expensive, noting that he had planned to buy more to boost his stock but could not afford them, as a bag now sells for over N500,000.

“A farmer told me he wanted four bags of seeds. When he heard the price, he gave up because four bags cost N2.2 million. Not every farmer will be able to grow ginger because of the high cost of seeds. This will affect ginger cultivation in Nigeria. If this continues, ginger farming may become impossible in the future,” Adamu said.

On his part, Shu’aibu Isah Marjere, a farmer in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, said ginger seeds are very expensive this year, forcing many farmers to switch to other crops.

He said it has become very difficult for new entrants to venture into ginger cultivation due to the high cost, adding that even established farmers are struggling as the disease has caused severe losses.

“The cultivation of ginger flourished here. When we started, we were only six people, but now we have grown to more than 40 farmers. We began over 10 years ago, and I can tell you there is no crop as profitable for us as ginger. However, getting seeds is now a major challenge,” Shu’aibu said.