We are sensitizing on quality says ginger farmers.

The Acting Secretary General of the National Ginger Association of Nigeria, Mr. Lucas Biliyok has said effort is on going in the awareness creation of how best to post handle the crop in terms of value addition for more market price competitiveness thereby commending the effort of the Government by its inclusion in the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA). He spoke in Kano at a training organized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for his members for processing and marketing. Read his excerpts below. 
 
Can you introduce yourself sir?
 My name is lucas Biliyok, the Acting General Secretary, National Ginger association of Nigeria.
How long has this association being in existence?
It started 2006 when it was inaugurated by the Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Since then, it has been in existence.

Where are the state you have members?
It is a National Association just as the name connotes. We are present all over the states of the country but presently we are majorly in the fifteen states including Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Oyo, Ekiti, Lagos, Edo, Imo, Abia etc and all with chairmen.

What are the challenges in ginger production?
First, in terms of production, the method of farming which has been primitive with manual labour is what many farmers are still using which is not helpful with the modern day reality of Agriculture in a commercial way. What the farmers need is the modern day equipment that will enhance more production. In the area of processing, drying of ginger is always a challenge as farmers always use the local method of spreading on the road which is associated with sand and dust thereby lowering the price standard in the market both locally and international.

 The quality always short changed farmers, but recently the Association has started sensitizing the members on how to dry their ginger so as to enhance its quality for better market through the help of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.