Nigeria happens to be blessed to be among the countries capable of growing ginger. The perennial crop from the family of Zingiberaceae has a rhizome known as ginger roots that gives spice and medicinal benefits when consumed.
People also find it useful in producing alcohol and cosmetics and it can be cultivated in tropical regions across the world.
In 1927, Nigeria started growing ginger in the southern region of Zaria, the Jemma federated district, and the nearby areas of Plateau State. It has become an important export of Nigeria.
Nigeria is Africa’s leading ginger exporter. Only 7.2% of the crop is exported in the ground and non-ground forms in the country. Nigeria is now rated fourth in the world for ginger production.
According to experts, Nigerian ginger is treasured on the worldwide market for its high quality and medicinal worth. Ginger products from Nigeria are distinguished by their scent, pungency, and high oil and Oleoresin concentration.
In this article, I’ll enunciate how to grow ginger in Nigeria and how to control pests and diseases that attack the plant in the country.
How To Grow Ginger In Nigeria
Various steps must be taken to grow ginger in Nigeria which will be explained below.
1) The soil should be plowed thoroughly to make crop harvesting easier. Form a 15 cm high, 1-meter broad, and convenient length beds with at least 50 cm between beds. In the event of irrigated farming, 40-centimeter-wide ridges should be used.
Tip: for details on how to choose and prepare a garden spot, click here and here
2) To enhance the soil, add pasteurized animal manure (waste from poultry, cattle, pigs, and other animals) or compost manure.
3) Yellow brownish skin and be pest and disease-free ginger should be used for farming. If you have new ginger that has not yet developed a thick golden brownish exterior, keep it in direct sunlight for 3-7 days to allow it to develop old skin.
4) You can plant them whole, although chopping them into pieces is preferable. The ginger plant will use the rhizome as its root, and new roots will sprout from it.
5) Before planting into portions, the rhizome should be cut 2-3 weeks before planting. Each cut-off section must contain at least one eye and weigh at least 4-6g. It can be cut to your specifications, with a range of 1-3 inches. A sett is a name given to each cut portion.
6) Each sett of ginger rhizomes is buried in a hole before being planted. The hole should be at least 8cm deep. Each sett’s bud in the soil should be pointing upwards. Each sett should be 30cm away from the next one. A fresh ginger plant emerges from each sett.
Tip: Learn more on how to take care of your plants here
Pests And Diseases of Ginger in Nigeria
A handful of the most common pests that attack ginger plants are snails, mites, borers, and nematodes. The key to controlling pests on your ginger farm is to keep it hygienic. Insecticides can be used to control mites.
If a borer attacks your ginger plant, sprout the borer-infested shoots, cut up the shoot, and take out the caterpillar and kill it. For pest management, regular agricultural surveillance and cleanliness are required.
The diseases that harm ginger include soft rot, damping off, and rust. Controlling the spread of such illnesses can be done by hand extraction. To prevent the spread of the disease, damaged clumps should be carefully removed along the soil surrounding the rhizome.
It’s also possible to employ chemicals. Trichoderma can be used at the time of planting as well as later on if needed. If your field is susceptible to illnesses, a restricted application of Bordeaux mixture (1 percent) may be necessary.
Read also: What Are The Best Conditions For Ginger Root To Grow?
Conclusion
I hope you find this article helpful. I would like to hear from you. So, let me know if you have any questions about growing Ginger in Nigeria. Also, learn how to grow ginger in containers and get a huge harvest here.
