The Federal Government has announced an N1.6 billion intervention fund aimed at supporting farmers in their fight against ginger blight, a disease threatening one of Nigeria’s key agricultural exports. Fredrick Nwabufo, Special Assistant on Public Engagement to President Bola Tinubu, revealed the initiative on his X handle, emphasizing its role in a broader strategy to enhance the nation’s food supply and agricultural resilience.
Nwabufo stated, “We launched initiatives to combat ginger blight, providing N1.6 billion in support of affected farmers and distributing pesticides and fungicides.” He underlined that agriculture and food security are vital components of President Tinubu’s policy agenda, asserting that “food is an essential and integral component of existence.”
Highlighting the significance of food security as a key aspect of national security, Nwabufo added, “Protecting the people against hunger is a basic extension of this sacred duty.” The N1.6 billion support is part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s ongoing efforts to address both immediate agricultural needs and long-term sustainability.
The government’s comprehensive measures include distributing pesticides and fungicides to farmers, ensuring Nigeria remains one of the world’s largest ginger producers. Beyond the ginger blight initiative, Nwabufo noted the implementation of various programs aimed at boosting food production and stabilizing prices. These initiatives include suspending duties on essential food commodities such as maize, rice, and wheat, alongside a dry-season farming initiative that has cultivated 118,657 hectares of wheat across 15 states, supporting 107,429 farmers and yielding 474,628 metric tonnes of wheat.
Other significant interventions involve distributing 60,000 metric tonnes of improved seeds and 2.15 million bags of fertilizers, facilitated by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Nwabufo reported that “over 2,770 farmers have been empowered across 109 crop production clusters, receiving essential inputs and resources to enhance their productivity.”
Additionally, the administration is focusing on livestock production and animal health by distributing 14 million vaccine doses for common diseases and establishing veterinary health centers. Training programs for livestock farmers on biosecurity and antimicrobial resistance are also underway.
Nwabufo emphasized that the government’s multifaceted approach aims not only to address immediate agricultural challenges but also to secure a sustainable food future for Nigeria. “At compelling times such as now, it is important to keep citizens abreast of the government’s efforts in this respect,” he concluded, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to ensuring food security for all Nigerians.
