The Federal Government has earmarked ₦1.6 billion to combat ginger blight, a disease threatening one of the country’s major agricultural exports.
The intervention is part of the administration’s broader effort to strengthen Nigeria’s food security and agricultural resilience. This recent announcement was made by Mr. Fredrick Nwabufo, Special Assistant on Public Engagement to President Bola Tinubu, via his X account, as he detailed the government’s ongoing agricultural support initiatives.
“We launched initiatives to combat ginger blight, providing ₦1.6 billion in support of affected farmers and distributing critical pesticides and fungicides,” Mr. Nwabufo revealed. He further stressed the importance of agriculture within President Tinubu’s policy framework, stating: “Food is an essential and integral component of existence.”
The intervention aligns with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s broader strategy, targeting both immediate challenges in agriculture and long-term sustainability. Mr. Nwabufo also highlighted that protecting the country’s food supply is integral to national security, also stating: “Protecting the people against hunger is a basic extension of this sacred duty.”
Beyond the ginger blight relief efforts, the government has rolled out several other agricultural programs designed to boost food production and stabilize prices. This includes the suspension of import duties on key food items like maize, rice, and wheat. Additionally, the Federal Government’s dry-season farming initiative has led to the cultivation of over 118,657 hectares of wheat across 15 states, benefiting more than 107,000 farmers and yielding 474,628 metric tonnes of wheat.
The government is also distributing 60,000 metric tonnes of improved seeds and 2.15 million bags of fertilizers through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention program.
“Over 2,770 farmers have been empowered across 109 crop production clusters, receiving critical inputs to boost their productivity,” Mr. Nwabufo noted.
Livestock farming is also receiving a major boost, with the distribution of 14 million doses of vaccines for common diseases and the establishment of veterinary health centres. The government is further rolling out training programs to improve biosecurity and fight antimicrobial resistance in livestock management.
Mr. Nwabufo reiterated the government’s multi-faceted approach to addressing agricultural threats while ensuring long-term food security.
“At a time like this, it is crucial to keep citizens informed about the government’s actions,” he said, reaffirming the administration’s dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s food future.
These comprehensive measures, spanning crop production to livestock management, demonstrate the government’s commitment to reinforcing the nation’s agricultural foundation amid rising global food challenges.
