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The National Onion Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has declared an urgent crisis in the nation’s onion industry, citing various challenges threatening the sector.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, NOPPMAN President Isa Aliyu highlighted key issues facing onion farmers, including rising prices for onion seedlings, climate-related disruptions, post-harvest losses, and inflation.
Aliyu, who also leads the Regional Observatory of the Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, pointed out that inflation and economic instability have significantly impacted onion production, increasing costs across the board.
“The cost of essential farming inputs—like fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, and labour—has surged, making it harder for farmers to achieve profitability,” Aliyu stated.
He noted that climate change, with unpredictable rainfall patterns and extreme weather, is further destabilizing onion farming. Excessive rains have led to crop diseases and waterlogged fields, impacting yields and reducing the quality of the harvest.
Aliyu urged cooperation from various stakeholders, including government bodies, financial institutions, and agricultural organizations, to provide support.
He recommended subsidies for onion seedlings and essential supplies to ease financial pressure on farmers.
Additionally, he called for government intervention to reduce post-harvest losses through the establishment of advanced storage facilities, which would help maintain onion quality after harvest.
Aliyu also requested improvements to transportation infrastructure to prevent spoilage during distribution.
He further appealed to government agencies and research institutions to offer training programs focused on climate-resilient farming techniques, as well as to provide low-interest loans to onion farmers.
Such initiatives, he suggested, could help stabilize the industry and protect farmers’ livelihoods amid growing economic and environmental challenges.