The National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has declared a state of emergency in the onion industry, citing several challenges threatening the sector’s sustainability.
The association is calling on all relevant stakeholders, including government bodies and financial institutions, to collaborate on finding solutions.
In a press briefing held Thursday in Abuja, NOPPMAN President Isa Aliyu highlighted several pressing issues facing onion farmers, including the rising costs of inputs, post-harvest losses, inflation, and the impacts of climate change.
Aliyu, who is also the President of the Regional Observatory of the Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, explained that the current economic climate, compounded by rising inflation, has caused severe disruptions in the onion industry.
“The cost of farm inputs, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, and labour has soared, with farmers finding it increasingly difficult to break even, let alone turn a profit,” he said.
He also pointed to the role of climate change in exacerbating the crisis. “Climate change has introduced new uncertainties into farming with extended rainfall patterns and other unusual weather conditions disrupting the traditional growing cycles,” Aliyu stated.
“The excessive rain at unexpected times has led to crop diseases, waterlogging, and poor harvests. As farmers contend with uncertainty, their ability to plan, plant, and harvest effectively is being undermined, leaving the entire industry vulnerable.”
Aliyu called on the government and other stakeholders to provide support for the struggling sector. “We request that the government and relevant agencies consider subsidies for onion seedlings and essential farming inputs to alleviate the financial burden on our farmers,” he urged.
Additionally, Aliyu emphasized the need for improvements in post-harvest handling, noting that a significant amount of produce is lost due to inadequate storage and poor transportation systems.
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“We also want the government to address post-harvest losses with the provision of modern storage facilities that can help preserve the quality of onions after harvest, as well as reliable transportation systems that can minimise spoilage during transit,” he said.
The NOPPMAN President also stressed the importance of financial support, urging that government institutions offer low-interest loans to farmers to ease their financial burdens.
“We call on the government at all levels to help members of the association have access to low-interest loans and financial support,” Aliyu added.
In addition to financial and infrastructural support, Aliyu called on agricultural research institutions and government bodies to provide training programs aimed at equipping farmers with climate-smart practices.
“We urge agricultural research institutions and government bodies to support training programs that will help equip farmers with climate-smart practices,” he concluded.
The NOPPMAN President’s statement paints a grim picture of the onion industry, but it also highlights the need for immediate and collaborative action to safeguard the sector’s future.
