The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria says it facilitated a N1.6 billion input support package for farmers in Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno and Yobe.

The support package was provided by the National Agricultural Development Fund.

Aliyu Isah, the president of the association, disclosed this at the National Executive Council meeting of NOPPMAN on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Isah said the inputs, distributed in November 2025, included improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals. According to him, the intervention was aimed at stabilising onion production and moderating price volatility in key producing states.

Giving a breakdown of NOPPMAN’s achievements between June 2024 and May 2026, Mr Isah said the association also facilitated over N500 million input support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for farmers in Gombe and Kano.

He said the inputs, distributed in October 2024, comprised certified seeds, knapsack sprayers, agrochemicals and liquid fertilisers aimed at enhancing farm-level productivity and improving input availability for smallholder onion farmers.

He added that NOPPMAN also mobilised a multi-input support package comprising seeds, agrochemicals, solar pumps, power tillers and onion dryers from the FMAFS in Sokoto in September 2025 to improve mechanisation and post-harvest handling.

According to him, the association also secured cash compensation for flood-affected onion farmers from BUA Cement in Wamakko LGA of Sokoto between 2024 and 2026.

He said the support provided financial relief and livelihood restoration for flood-displaced farmers.

Mr Isah further said the association facilitated agricultural input support from the Kebbi government on March 1 to improve access to farming inputs for onion-producing communities.

The NOPPMAN president commended members of the association for collaborating with the National Agricultural Seeds Council in the successful prosecution of importers of counterfeit seeds between 2024 and 2026.

He said the prosecution and conviction of offenders served as a deterrent against seed adulteration and improved farmers’ confidence in certified seed supply chains.

Mr Isah also said the association collaborated with Prism Foods for the unveiling of the largest onion storage facility in Kano by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment in April 2025.

According to him, the facility is designed to provide cold-chain storage services for onion producers and traders.

He said the storage facility would significantly reduce post-harvest losses and enhance market stability for actors within the onion value chain.

Mr Isah said the meeting was convened to strengthen the onion value chain and improve the livelihoods of farmers and agribusiness operators across the country.

The executive secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, assured stakeholders of the organisation’s commitment to the development of the onion seed system and infrastructure within the sub-sector.

Mr Ibrahim said the organisation was also committed to training and capacity development for farmers.

“We distributed inputs to 2,000 onion farmers in Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Borno states in 2025. The intention was to support them against losses incurred from floods and climate-related shocks that affected onion production across the states. We are committed to the remaining intervention programmes already initiated,” he said.

Afusatu Babalola, the deputy director of the Federal Department of Horticulture, FMAFS, said the meeting was aimed at strengthening the onion value chain in the country.

Represented by Ms Babalola, the ministry said the onion sub-sector remained a vital component of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, contributing to food security, employment generation, income creation and regional trade.

She commended onion producers, processors, marketers and other stakeholders for sustaining production despite prevailing challenges in the agricultural sector.

Ms Babalola urged stakeholders to continue working together in unity, transparency and mutual understanding for the advancement of the onion industry and Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

(NAN)