The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has developed new ginger planting materials to improve resistance to fungal attacks, marking a major step in reviving the country’s $730 million ginger industry following a devastating disease outbreak.
Abdullahi Mustapha, director-general and chief executive officer of NBRDA, disclosed this on Tuesday at the 60th Annual Conference and Diamond Jubilee of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria (ASN).
Speaking on the new development, Mustapha said the agency had produced ginger planting materials with improved resistance to fungal attack and was advancing a biological spray solution to help control the disease.
“NBRDA has developed ginger-planting material with improved resistance to fungal attack and is advancing a biological spray solution, a bio-fungicide, to help control the disease,” he said.
“These complementary measures tackle the problem from two sides: healthy planting material and crop protection. With field validation, farmer training and coordinated deployment, they offer a route to rebuilding production, restoring export confidence and protecting a valuable source of national revenue.” He added.
He explained that the ginger industry was valued at approximately $730 million before the outbreak. The crisis, however, triggered significant losses in export earnings, jobs and livelihoods, forcing some farmers out of production.
Citing federal government figures, Mustapha noted that ginger farmers lost about N12 billion in 2023, while the country’s ginger export earnings fell by 74 per cent from N23.76 billion in the first nine months of 2023 to N6.28 billion in the corresponding period of 2024. Reports in 2026 indicated that ginger exports had fallen to zero in 2025 and the first quarter of 2026.
Mustapha also highlighted progress on cowpea technology that could strengthen domestic production and reduce dependence on imports.
“Our ambition is to make locally produced cowpea sufficient for our people as adoption expands,” he said.
He added that similar opportunities existed in maize production but stressed the need for improved seed systems, farmer training and sustained investment in domestic production.
“This is the promise of biotechnology. Not simply a new seed, but stronger harvests, more secure livelihoods and greater control over our food future,” he said.
Jude Mbanasor, national president of the Agricultural Society of Nigeria, called on the government to increase investment in agricultural research, extension services and infrastructure.
“Agricultural research and extension must receive sustained attention and investment. Financing mechanisms must become more accessible and responsive to farmers and agribusinesses,” he said.
“We must strengthen irrigation, rural roads, storage, processing and other agricultural infrastructure. Nigeria must accelerate appropriate mechanisation and digital transformation while ensuring that technologies remain accessible to smallholder farmers.”He added.
He further urged stronger agricultural education to attract young Nigerians into the sector, policies that encourage private-sector investment, and greater collaboration among government, academia, research institutions, farmers, professional bodies and the private sector.
Rose Maxwell Gidado, chairman of the local organising committee, said the theme “Feeding the Future: Scaling Innovation, Resilience, and Partnerships in Nigerian Agriculture” underscored the need to strengthen partnerships and develop workable systems in the sector.
“It invites us to think beyond what is possible in principle and to consider what can work in practice: on our farms, in our communities, in our businesses and across our food system,” she said.
Related News
