Nigerian onion growers are raising their voices in worry about the persistent difficulties they encounter, which have caused the market prices of onions to increase. The farmers attribute the high cost in large part to a number of challenges brought on by the flooding that impacted seed production earlier in the year.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Farmers argue that the flooding not only reduced the availability of quality seeds but also allowed inferior seedlings to make their way into the market. These substandard seedlings, which failed to produce healthy crops, have led to significant financial losses.
Many farmers have suffered millions of naira in damages, as the faulty seeds failed to yield any produce, leaving them with little to show for their investment. As one farmer explained, “We have lost millions of naira due to bad seeds. We buy these seeds, plant them, and they fail to produce onions, We cannot do anything unless we pray to Allah to help us.”
The onion producers are now calling on both the federal and state governments to intervene and provide assistance to help them recover from these losses. The president of the Onion Producers Association of Nigeria stated, “We have started inviting the concerned parties, especially those who brought seeds from outside Nigeria or from within the country. They need to explain how they sourced these seeds and whether they were tested.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
