…as farmers cite high costs, land disputes
By Fatima Muraina
The declining level of ginger and turmeric production in Ondo State has been attributed to lack of organised farming groups, land disputes, high production costs and limited market access.
A peasant farmer, Mr. Victor Bamiko, raised the concerns in an interview with THE HOPE in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Bamikole said there is currently no structured association or coordinated farming system for ginger production in Ondo State, making it difficult to gather accurate data or sustain large-scale cultivation.
He said, “For now, there is no organised group working on ginger. You can hardly get detailed information on ginger and turmeric planting in the state. There are only a few scattered farmers.”
Bamikole, who used to be the state chairman of Ginger and Turmeric Farmers Association, disclosed that he personally had not been actively involved in ginger and turmeric farming for the past two to three years due to health challenges, land disputes and marketing difficulties.
He added, “Marketing was a major challenge. I was also indisposed medically for about six months, and by the time I recovered, land issues arose. The land I was using had been sold, and the matter is now a subject of dispute.”
He noted that the decline in local production has contributed to the high cost of ginger in markets, adding that most of the produce available in Ondo State is sourced from Northern Nigeria.
He stated, “The reason ginger is expensive is because people are not growing it locally here. Almost all the ginger you see in the market comes from the Northern part of the country.”
He explained that even small quantities of ginger now sell at high prices due to limited supply and increased demand, describing it as a lucrative but capital-intensive venture.
The cost of cultivation alone, according to him, places it beyond the reach of many smallholder farmers.
He enthused, “For two acres of land, you may need as much as ₦800,000 just to buy seeds. Where will a common farmer get that kind of money?”
Bamikole, who said he initially went into ginger farming as a retirement plan, explained that early attempts were affected by poor market absorption and health challenges.
He said, “I started with a medicinal variety recommended to me. After production, I could not get enough of the market to off-take the produce, which set me back.”
He added that he later switched to more commercially viable varieties, but had to abandon the venture due to unresolved land issues.
Despite the challenges, he described ginger farming as a profitable agricultural enterprise for those with adequate financial capacity, adding, “When you look at the market, a cup of ginger now sells for almost ₦1,000. It is a good business, but it requires capital.”
On government involvement, he said while the state or Federal Government could invest in ginger and turmeric production, direct participation may not be the most efficient approach, saying, “Government can go into it, but it is usually better for private individuals to drive such ventures. The government can only support farmers who are willing to go into it.”
He urged interested farmers to consider ginger and turmeric production, while calling for improved access to land, funding and organised agricultural structures to boost local production in Ondo State.