Taraba goes into turmeric, ginger production

In its effort to boost agriculture, the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced planting turmeric and ginger.

The state Commissioner of Agriculture, Professor, Nicholas Oliver Namessan, flagged off the planting of the two economic crops at the College of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Jalingo, Friday.

The commissioner, who represented Governor Agbu Kefas, said the planting of the two economic plants was in line with his administration’s resolve of moving forward administration to promote cash crops and as well invest in research.

He said that Taraba State is blessed with a large expanse of land suitable for the planting of all crops.

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The commissioner assured farmers of Governor Kefas’ readiness for funding to promote turmeric and ginger farming because both can serve as medicine, seasoning, and sales and can grow resisting grasses and harsh weather.

Namessan urged the Provost College of Agriculture Science and Technology to ensure that thorough research be carried out on all cash crops in line with government policies on food security and self-sufficiency.

In his address, Provost College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Yakubu Ali Garjila appreciated Dr Agbu Kefas for giving priority to agriculture and promised not to fail by disseminating the right information to farmers on turmeric and ginger farming including other cash crops.

In his goodwill message, the Kuru Jibbu Abubakar Mahmud thanked Governor Agbu Kefas for appointing an expert hand professor, Nicholas Namessan Oliver, an engineer and agriculturalist as Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, who is meticulously carrying out all government programmes and policies in the agriculture sector.

The traditional ruler called on farmers to support the Moving Forward administration of Dr Agbu Kefas to deliver on his mandate given to him by the people.

During the event, the commissioner, provost, the Kuru Jebbu and students of the College of Agriculture Science and Technology also planted turmeric and ginger plants.