By Mu’azu Abubakar Albarkawa, Kaduna
National Association of Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria has decried lack of federal government’s support to attract foreign market to boost export of the commodity.
National Chairman of the association, Alhaji Isa Mai Tasamu Binji Sokoto who made the observation at an occasion in Zaria, said that Nigerian onion is one of the best in the world that can compete favourable in international market.
He expressed concern on government neglect to boosting the commodity through provision of farm implement and soft loan to farmers to maximize production.
The chairman who was represented by Kaduna state chairman of the association, Sani Ismail Kargi explained that currently Nigeria can only produce 1,000 tons of the onion while the country demands 2,800 tons annually.
He further explained that at the moment India has asked for the supply of 1,000 powdered onion from Nigerian farmers but can not meet up with the demand due to shortage in production.
The national chairman said Ghana and Niger Republic depend largely on Nigerian onion to process the commodity into other commercial products.
“In Niger, marketers buy our onion and processed it to make chocolate, Juice, powder and maggi cubes among other things.
It is also unfortunate that in Ghana, when they purchase our onion, they rebag it and export it to other countries tagging it as “Ghana Onion”.
He said in Nigeria, there is no single machine that can process onion into any product for exportation.
Also commenting, the kaduna state woman leader of the association, Hajiya Hauwa Ibrahim said women have greater role to play in onion farming and marketing, urging them not abandoned farming to the men alone.
The chairman, Zaria Chapter, Alhaji Mustapha Balarabe said efforts in top gear to liase with government to commence exportation of the commodity to the international market.
