Onion farmers in Jigawa State have suffered devastating losses estimated at nearly ₦1 billion following the use of poor-quality seeds during last year’s rainy season.

The Chairman of the Jigawa Onion Farmers Association, Malam Dauda Marma, revealed the development in an interview with Jigawa State Radio. 

He explained that dishonest traders imported and distributed substandard onion seeds from Morocco to unsuspecting farmers, leading to poor yields and widespread financial hardship.

“The farmers bought seeds with the hope of a bountiful harvest, but instead, many lost almost everything they invested,” Marma stated.

The setback highlights a growing concern over the influx of counterfeit and low-quality agricultural inputs in Nigeria’s farming communities. 

Experts warn that such practices threaten food security and undermine farmers’ trust in the agricultural value chain.

Onion farming is a major source of livelihood for thousands of households in Jigawa, a state considered one of Nigeria’s largest onion producers. 

The loss of such scale has the potential to impact local markets, increase prices, and discourage smallholder farmers from future investments in onion cultivation.

Source: Daily Post