Stakeholders push for increased ginger output

Nigeria’s ginger industry is stirring back to life after years of production setbacks, with stakeholders insisting that the country’s 768,305-ton output can be increased and translated into higher export earnings, stronger quality standards and deeper value addition.

Ranked as the world’s second-largest producer after India and ahead of China, Nigeria accounts for the bulk of Africa’s ginger production, harvesting the crop across 86,911 hectares with an average yield of 8,840 kilogrammes per hectare. Yet industry leaders argued that volume alone will not secure Nigeria’s place in an increasingly competitive global market.

Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), Dr. Victor Iyama, said: “With a focus on production restructuring, market expansion, deep processing and the application of science and technology, the ginger sector is steadily building a solid foundation for a new growth phase.”

Global ginger production exceeds four million tons annually, with India producing about 2.2 million tons, followed by Nigeria at over 768,000 tons and China at roughly 660,000 tons. Other major producers include Indonesia. Across Africa, Nigeria dominates output, far surpassing countries such as Cameroon, Mali, Ethiopia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Despite its strong ranking, the sector has endured a multi-year production crisis triggered by blight in major growing areas, particularly in Kaduna State, which accounts for more than 75 per cent of national output. The disease outbreak sharply reduced supply and triggered astronomical price increases in both domestic and export markets.Nigeria’s ginger, however, remains prized globally for its distinctive aroma and pungent flavour. “Our ginger is a global favourite commodity because of its unique aroma and flavor.

Amid increasingly intense competition, the value of agricultural products lies not only in output volume but also in quality, transparency and traceability,” Iyama said, urging stakeholders to reclaim the country’s status as a highly sought-after supplier.

He stressed that boosting yields through improved seed varieties, better farm inputs and internationally accepted production methods would be critical as the government seeks to strengthen food security and foreign exchange earnings.

According to him, embracing digital traceability systems is no longer optional. “Agriculture Traceability System is an important step in promoting agricultural digital transformation, improving information transparency and enhancing the value of products in both domestic and international markets,” he said.

Iyama explained that the proposed system would record, manage and retrieve origin information throughout the value chain, from production and processing to transportation and market circulation. “Consumers can easily verify product information in a transparent manner, while state management agencies are provided with a tool for monitoring, statistics and tracing back when necessary,” he added.

The push for reform comes as global demand for traceable food products rises sharply, driven by tighter safety regulations in Europe and the United States. Analysts estimated the global food traceability market was valued at over $19 billion in 2023 and could exceed $34 billion by 2030.

The Executive Secretary, Institute of Export Operations and Management Nigeria, Dr. Ofon Udofia,  lamented that the nation’s agricultural export ambitions continue to be constrained by structural bottlenecks. “At the core of these challenges lie productivity gaps and weak infrastructure, shortcomings that prevent the sector from realising its true export capacity,” he said.

Udofia noted that the absence of an integrated storage, warehousing and processing system has led to massive post-harvest losses, reducing exportable surplus and undermining Nigeria’s credibility in international markets. “Nigeria must move beyond exporting raw commodities by promoting agro-processing and packaging industries,” he said, urging incentives such as public-private partnerships, tax rebates and export-oriented financing.

The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a large-scale ginger production and processing hub in Kachia, Kaduna State. The ₦40 billion project, to be jointly financed by the federal and state governments, is expected to become Africa’s largest ginger processing facility and a catalyst for rural industrialisation.

The project, announced by Sunday Katung, the senator representing Kaduna South,  is expected to become Africa’s largest ginger processing hub once completed. While detailed specifications have not yet been disclosed, the project is designed to increase output, cut post-harvest losses and strengthen export value through processing rather than raw shipments. Katung said the initiative goes beyond ginger production, framing it as a catalyst for rural industrialization, job creation and wealth generation in farming communities. He said farmers would shift from selling raw produce to processing and exporting higher-value products.

Stakeholders push for increased ginger output - The Nation Newspaper