Onion farmers in Nigeria’s Jigawa State have suffered significant losses, with nearly N1 billion worth of produce wasted during the last rainy season because of substandard seeds. Malam Dauda Marma, chairman of the Jigawa Onion Farmers Association, disclosed this in an interview with a local radio station. He explained that dishonest traders distributed poor‑quality onion seeds imported from Morocco to farmers in the state, routing them through neighboring Kebbi and Yobe States. The inferior seeds caused extensive damage to the onion farming industry, leaving many farmers struggling to recover.
Marma warned that the association will take strict action against anyone found selling substandard seeds in the future, stating that offenders will face the full extent of the law. This crackdown aims to protect farmers from further losses and to ensure that only quality seeds are used in the state.
In parallel with these enforcement efforts, the association is working to boost the onion sector by establishing a dedicated onion market in Marma town, Kirikasamma Local Government Area. The initiative has attracted interest from several African countries, which could increase demand for Jigawa’s onions. A specialized market is expected to strengthen the state’s onion farming sector and provide better opportunities for growers.
Although the loss of nearly N1 billion in produce represents a major setback for Jigawa’s onion industry, the association’s combined strategy of market development and strict seed regulation offers potential for growth and recovery. As demand for Jigawa onions rises, the state’s farmers may rebound from their losses and emerge as major players in the regional market.
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