National Onions Producers, Processors and Marketters Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) will hold a regional conference on the impact of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on onions in November.

Aliyu Maitasamu, President of NOPPMAN, disclosed this when he led other members of the association on a visit to Govenor Abdullahi Ganduje in Kano.

According to Mr Maitasamu, the conference is a collaborative effort of the regional observatory for onion in West and Central Africa.

”The conference is aimed at looking at the impact of the AfCFTA on onion production,” explained Mr Maitasamu. “Nigeria’s onion is one of the best in the world, because of its strong pungency and it is being exported  to many countries like France, Japan, India, Niger Republic and Ghana, among others.”

Mr Ganduje assured NOPPMAN of the government’s commitment to promote the value chain of onion and other commodities.

”Since I assumed office, Kano state has supported all programmes initiated by the federal government led by President Muhammadu Buhari on diversification of agriculture,” he stated.

Mr Ganduje, represented by Deputy Governor Nasiru Gawun said, onion was a perishable vegetable which must be exploited to boost the nation.

“In Kano, we have onion markets due to the realisation of the importance of vegetables to the economy. Before now, our farmers suffered great post harvest losses, now with new innovations through technology, especially with storage method, that has become a thing of the past,” the governor added.

While assuring the onion farmers of continued support, cooperation and collaboration, Mr Ganduje further urged them to take advantage of the intervention programmes initiated by the federal government to enhance onions production and storage.

Nigeria on July 7, 2019 signed the AfCFTA agreement designed to increase trade among African countries.

Mr Buhari signed the agreement at the African Union (AU) summit in Niger.

The AfCFTA is expected to make Africa the world’s largest free trade area.
According to AU estimates, implementing AfCFTA will lead to around a 60 per cent  boost in intra-African trade by 2022.

(NAN)