The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has launched the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme (GVCRSP) and unveiled a major initiative to strengthen agricultural research institutions, as part of efforts to revive Nigeria’s ginger industry and enhance agricultural innovation.

The programme was launched at the headquarters of the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Abia State, bringing together government officials, researchers, development partners, commodity associations, and private-sector stakeholders to develop a sustainable roadmap for the recovery of the country’s ginger value chain.

The intervention follows the devastating ginger blight epidemic that affected production in major ginger-growing areas and disrupted the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

Representing the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, the General Manager, Technical Services, Mr. Ernest Ihedigbo, described the initiative as a significant step towards repositioning agriculture as a key driver of economic diversification, food security, industrial development and export growth under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said the programme demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening research, innovation and sustainable agricultural development through strategic investments.

According to him, agricultural transformation depends on strong research institutions, modern technologies, and effective linkages among scientific discoveries, production systems, and markets.

Ihedigbo disclosed that NADF is implementing two major interventions. The first seeks to transform selected agricultural research institutions into Centres of Excellence through investments in modern laboratories, biotechnology facilities, renewable energy infrastructure, irrigation systems, digital platforms and innovation hubs.

He announced that NRCRI has been selected as the South-East beneficiary in the first phase of the programme and will receive support for energy and digital infrastructure as well as the installation and maintenance of laboratory equipment.

The intervention, he noted, is expected to enhance research capacity, improve scientists’ productivity, promote demand-driven research, facilitate technology commercialisation and strengthen partnerships with international research organisations.

The second intervention, the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme, is aimed at rebuilding the ginger industry following the 2023 ginger blight outbreak, which significantly reduced production and export earnings and exposed weaknesses within the value chain.

Under the programme, NADF will provide six metric tonnes of ginger rhizomes and support the establishment of facilities for germplasm conservation, disease-free seed multiplication, tissue culture propagation, adaptive field preservation and sustainable seed system development.

Ihedigbo recalled that NADF had earlier participated in the Federal Government’s Ginger Blight Epidemic Control Taskforce through the Ginger Recovery Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) Programme.

“Beyond immediate support, the Ginger Value Chain Recovery and Sustainability Programme is designed to promote long-term recovery, resilience and transformation of the ginger sector,” he said.

Representing the Abia State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr Cliff Agbeze, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ijeoma Adamma Agoha, described the partnership between NADF and NRCRI as a demonstration of the value of strategic collaboration in addressing challenges within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

She commended NADF for selecting NRCRI as a beneficiary of the intervention, noting that the institute has continued to play a critical role in agricultural research and innovation.

According to her, the ginger blight outbreak affected thousands of farmers, reduced access to quality planting materials and exposed vulnerabilities within the value chain.

“The intervention we are launching today is not only about recovery; it is about building stronger systems, restoring confidence among farmers and ensuring long-term sustainability through science, technology and innovation,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Director of NRCRI, Prof. Chiedozie Ngozi Egesi, the Director of Root Crops Research, Dr. Adeyemi Olojede, described the programme as a timely intervention that would help address critical challenges facing the ginger industry.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to work collectively in developing practical solutions that would restore production and strengthen resilience across the value chain.

Olojede said the collaboration would provide the financial and institutional support needed to translate scientific research into practical solutions for farmers and agribusinesses.

Also speaking, a representative of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Morrison Udo, described ginger as one of Nigeria’s key non-oil export commodities and expressed optimism that the initiative would address challenges relating to disease management, infrastructure, financing and policy support.

Similarly, Prof. Ikechukwu Dallas Chima, who represented the National President of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria (NGAN), said the programme carries significant economic importance for the country.

He noted that the global ginger market is projected to exceed $3 billion in the coming years and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure Nigeria maintains its competitiveness in the international market.

As part of the event, participants received presentations on NRCRI’s mandate and recent innovations in crop improvement, biotechnology and disease management. They also toured the institute’s ginger, cassava, and yam research facilities, tissue culture laboratories, and screen houses, where ongoing agricultural research projects are being undertaken.