The Agricultural Bank restores ginger production in Kaduna

The program reached approximately 3,400 farmers across 15 clusters, providing them with planting material and agricultural extension services. Bank of Agriculture (BOA) Managing Director Ayodeji Sotinrin visited the crops in Kachia to inspect the maturing and harvested crops. Part of the obtained harvest is planned to be directed to tissue culture in order to propagate planting material on a larger scale and expand the program to other communities.

BOA also plans to establish nurseries to support ginger production in 16 states. According to Sotinrin's forecasts, if support measures are maintained, ginger production in Nigeria could reach three million tons within five years, generating about 3 billion dollars in economic value and enabling vulnerable farmers to earn 70–80 million naira per hectare. The bank provides financing at nine percent per annum.

Agrolog has been engaged in the implementation of the program, forming farmers into clusters, providing agronomic support, and monitoring crop development. One such cluster included more than 900 internally displaced farmers due to security threats, who were awaiting the harvesting within three weeks following an early assessment.

In addition, the bank is working with the federal government on other agricultural areas, including the maize minimum guaranteed price program, which helped support farmers when market prices dropped. BOA is also exploring opportunities to assist cassava producers through cooperation with derivative product processors to buy up the harvest remaining in the fields. It is estimated that the ginger sector has recovered to about 30 percent of its former capacity, and the program aims to engage at least 50 percent female participants.