The National Onion Producers, Processors And Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has appealed to both States and the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency to facilitate enabling environment for the association.
This will go a long way for the NOPPMAN to achieve its aims and goals in the area of contributing to the increment of Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating job opportunities through effective and efficient onion production.
The association also reiterated its commitment towards the promotion of the goals and visions of the Federal Government in implementing strategies that would facilitate the development of the non-oil commodity sector for job creation and for exportation.
The appeal was made by the National President of NOPPMAN, Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitsasumu during the association’s National Executive Meeting (NEC) held at NBC Century House, Lusaka Street Zone 6, Abuja
Speaking with journalists shortly after the NEC meeting, Maitsasumu said the bone of discussion was to discuss the achievements recorded so far in the onion sub-sector, the challenges they are facing, and look at the way forward to solve those challenges that arise from the successes recorded.
While highlighting some of the successes, NOPPMAN President said, the association has been able to initiate formal and documented exports, embarking on a modern onion storage facility in Kuje, Abuja, which is the new initiative in the whole sub-Sahara Africa.
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Others are embarking on different conflict resolutions, increment in revenue generation, and maintaining unity in diversity.
Also the challenges according to him includes double conversion rate, shortage in production, and high-interest rate from commercial banks.
According to him, “We have discussed the achievements recorded so far in the onion sub-sector and how to complement those achievements, we also looked at challenges we are facing and looking way forward on how to solve those challenges that arise from the successes recorded.
“Shortage in Production, Nigeria produces 1.4 million metric tons which falls short of its domestic demand of 2.5 million metric tons.
This demand gap is largely occasioned by the inability to access necessary farming inputs on a timely basis, post-harvest losses due to the poor storage facility, and inadequate processing plants due to lack of access to cheap credit facilities from government interventions.
“But we thank God, we have been able to initiate modern storage facility for onion production, which is the new initiative in the whole sub-Sahara Africa. With this storage facility at Kuje, Abuja, the issue of spoiled onion as a result of an adequate storage facility is now a thing of the past, and this has resulted in more revenue for our members.
“The high-interest rate from the commercial banks does not help our business, which discourages our members across the value chain. If this situation continues, with the increase in population and the fact that Nigeria exports Onions to other countries, this demand gap will continue to widen except if there is a quick and timely intervention by the Federal government.
“It is our belief that once the above challenges are addressed, Onions and Onion products will contribute immensely to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increment, Position Nigeria’s Onion value chain in the global map of Onion exporting countries, Encourage repatriation of forex back to Nigeria.
“Furthermore, Nigeria will stand to generate four hundred and twenty million US dollars annually from Onion export if there is value addition.
“We are, therefore, appealing to the Federal government to facilitate an understanding between the Association and the business environment, such that, Onions value chain would be developed.
“This will no doubt help smallholder farmers and marketers facilitate access to quick credit and encourage huge investment in the Sub-sector”.
