The Onion Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (OPMAN) said on Monday that the country could generate about $420 million (about N151 billion) annually from onion.
OPMAN’s Secretary-General, Mr Aliyu Maitasamu, said this at the 2019 General Assembly of Regional Observatory of Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, in Sokoto.
According to him, Nigeria cultivates 1.1 million tonnes, out of the 2.5 million tonnes being demanded in West Africa.
He said the existing deficit of onion production was about 1.4 million tonnes in Nigeria, adding that if the country maximised its full potential in onion production, it could generate up to $420 million every year.
The secretary-general noted that Nigeria is the sixth major onion producer in the world, second in Africa and first in West Africa.
According to him, onion farmers are faced with storage challenges, noting that about 60 percent of onions harvested are lost due to poor storage system.
Maitasamu appealed to federal and state governments to construct modern storage facilities, provide more markets, educate farmers on enhanced production techniques and provide improved seedlings.
He noted that Sokoto is the highest onion producing state, with 169,300 tonnes annually, followed by Adamawa and Kebbi.
El-Hadji Kadri, President, Regional Observatory of Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, said participants were drawn from Nigeria, Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.
Kadri said that the present border closure in Nigeria would surely enhance more onion production, and urged farmers to utilise the opportunity to produce more for internal consumption.
He, however, said the possibilities for re-opening the borders should be considered for producers to export their commodities.
Kadri urged governments and stakeholders to engage in more awareness, to modernise onion processing and increase its value chain, as obtained in developed nations.
In his remarks, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State, lauded the association’s efforts and assured of supports, in line with efforts on agricultural development package.
Tambuwal, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Arzuka Tureta, enjoined onion farmers to access available farming support.
Gov. Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, who was represented by his Deputy, Col. Sama’ila Yombe-Dabai (rtd.), also pledged more support and encouragement for onion farmer to enhance increased investment. (NAN)