FG restates commitment to agricultural sector

Federal Government says it is committed to promoting the Agricultural Sector and its potentials through policy development to drive food and nutrition security, economic growth and job creation.

This is part of the Government’s strategy under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, FMARD with a view to developing the sector to become business driven by the private sector

The Director, Federal Department of Agriculture (FDA) Mrs Karima I. Babangida stated this during a two-day capacity building workshop on “promotion of Ginger Processing Techniques” for northwest Farmers and processors in Kaduna.

According to Mrs Babangida, the workshop was aimed at building Farmers’ capacity in processing and entrepreneurial management skills to enable them to learn the new farming innovation which would improve their knowledge for value addition, income generation and export.

She explained that the ministry would ensure accelerated ginger production and value addition towards self-sufficiency, to meet industrial requirements, as well as boost farmers’ income to generate employment through collaborative efforts of all stakeholders.

“Nigeria Ginger is one of the best in the world and highly valued in the pharmaceutical and confectionery industry.

The Director in the Federal Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development said Nigeria was among the world’s largest producers of Ginger that produce almost 523MT annually which accounts for a 14 per cent share of the total global production.

The North West Regional Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Engr. Ubandoma Ularamu explained that the workshop which seeks to improve their knowledge on processing and packaging of Ginger products for domestic and export will enhance their capacity.

Mr Ularamu said the knowledge and skills acquired on new farming methods and processing, would lead to increase production, utilization, marketing and standard of living for participants

The North West Regional Director said at the two-day capacity building workshop that Ginger is produced in all states including FCT with Kaduna accounting for 75 per cent of National Production Annually.

The National President of Ginger Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr Nuhu B. Daudu (rtd) Said Processing and packaging had always been the challenges facing farmers and their products in the market and therefore posited that with the capacity building workshop, their products will have global acceptability due to the knowledge and skills gained.