Nigeria’s onion industry declares state of emergency amidst rising costs, climate challenges

Nigeria’s onion industry faces a state of emergency due to rising costs, climate issues, and inflation. Urgent government support is needed.

 

 

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has declared a state of emergency in the onion industry, citing escalating production costs, climate issues, and inflation.

During a press briefing in Abuja, the association’s president, Isa Aliyu, urged government intervention and support from key stakeholders to stabilise the industry.

 

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Aliyu, also president of the Regional Observatory of Onion Sector in West and Central Africa, expressed grave concerns over the mounting challenges that Nigerian onion farmers face.

“The cost of essential farm inputs like fertiliser, pesticides, fuel, and labour has soared,” he explained, emphasising that farmers struggle to break even due to these costs.

Aliyu highlighted that inflation and the wider economic crisis have worsened conditions for producers, with climate change introducing unprecedented uncertainty into the growing process.

“Unpredictable rainfall patterns have led to crop diseases, waterlogging, and poor harvests,” he said, noting that these conditions disrupt traditional growing cycles, rendering farmers’ planning and productivity vulnerable.

The president further elaborated on the role of excessive rainfall, explaining how unseasonal downpours affect crop health, quality, and yield.

The heavy rains have led to post-harvest losses, with spoilage occurring due to inadequate storage facilities and unreliable transportation systems, causing severe economic strain for those in the onion sector.

To address these issues, Aliyu called on the government and private partners to provide subsidies on onion seedlings and essential farming inputs to alleviate farmers’ financial burdens.

He also urged the establishment of modern storage solutions to curb post-harvest losses and facilitate better preservation of onions during transit.

Additionally, Aliyu appealed to agricultural research institutions and financial bodies to provide low-interest loans and support programmes to help farmers adopt climate-smart practices.

He stressed that accessible financing and training could enable Nigerian farmers to adapt to changing conditions while enhancing productivity.

With the onion industry vital to Nigeria’s agricultural economy, NOPPMAN’s call for urgent support underscores the sector’s vulnerability and the necessity for systemic changes to sustain its future.