Nigeria’s onion farmers have received a major boost following the facilitation of over N2.1 billion worth of agricultural support packages by the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) to strengthen production improve productivity, and stabilise the country’s onion value chain.
The disclosure was made by the President of National Onion Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria Aliyu Isah, during the association’s National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja where he presented a detailed account of achievements recorded between June 2024 and May 2026.
According to Isah, NOPPMAN facilitated a N1.6 billion input support package funded by the National Agricultural Development Fund for onion farmers in Sokoto, Kebbi, Borno and Yobe states. The intervention distributed in November 2025, included improved seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals aimed at stabilising production and reducing price volatility in Nigeria’s major onion-producing regions.
He further disclosed that the association secured an additional N500 million support package from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security for farmers in Gombe and Kano states. The package distributed in October 2024, comprised certified seeds, knapsack sprayers, agrochemicals and liquid fertilisers targeted at supporting smallholder farmers.
In a separate intervention implemented in September 2025 NOPPMAN facilitated another package from the ministry for farmers in Sokoto State. The support included solar-powered irrigation pumps, power tillers and onion dryers to address mechanisation challenges and reduce post-harvest losses.
The association also played a role in securing compensation for onion farmers affected by flooding in Wamakko Local Government Area of Sokoto State with support provided by BUA Cement to cover losses recorded between 2024 and 2026.
As part of efforts to strengthen storage and market stability NOPPMAN collaborated with Prism Foods in the establishment of what is described as the largest onion cold-chain storage facility in Kano State. The facility inaugurated in April 2025 by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses and improve the efficiency of the onion supply chain.
Speaking at the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the NADF Mohammed Ibrahim, confirmed that approximately 2,000 onion farmers across Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Borno states benefited from the 2025 intervention programme particularly in response to flood-related challenges.
Also addressing stakeholders Afusatu Babalola, representing the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security described the onion sub-sector as a critical component of Nigeria’s agricultural economy, highlighting its contributions to food security, employment generation, income creation and regional trade.
Stakeholders noted that the scale of support mobilised by NOPPMAN reflects growing efforts to build resilience within the onion industry particularly as climate-related challenges continue to affect farming communities across northern Nigeria.
They expressed optimism that sustained investments in farm inputs, mechanisation, storage infrastructure and farmer support programmes would strengthen onion production, improve market stability, and enhance the long-term sustainability of one of Nigeria’s most important horticultural crops.
