(SINL NIGERIA) At the 6th International Onion Conference hosted by the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), the Nigeria body of the Regional Observatory of Onion Sector in West and Central Africa (ROO/WCA), the Mabera Women Cooperative has stated that there are ongoing plans to train more women in the onion business.
This decision is in view of the issue of storage, to address post-harvest losses and infrastructure challenges, in order for women to have more opportunities in the Onion sub-sector.
The 2-day event with the theme: “The Onion Sector in the Era of the Domestication of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS): Challenges and Opportunities,” held on 15th & 16th October, 2024, at the International Conference Centre, Kasarawa, Sokoto State, saw delegates from about fifteen African countries in attendance, including state governors, relevant government officials, stakeholders from various MDAs and private sectors in Nigeria.
The key objectives of the conference were highlighted as, to strengthen market access for onion producers and exporters, promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and Pan African Payment Settlement System (PAPSS), foster financial inclusion and support for onion exporters, encourage sustainable agricultural practices, facilitate Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and address post-harvest losses and infrastructure challenges.
The importance of public-private partnerships was focused on as key to fostering innovation, accessing new markets, and scaling up production; and also underscores the value of regional collaboration to share best practices and promote the integration of African markets through the AfCFTA framework.
In her keynote address, the ED/CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Mrs Nonye Ayeni, noted that the participation of the council in this conference underscores the core of its functions targeted at increasing the basket of exportable products from Nigeria in the global market, in turn increasing the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
She further stated that the theme of this conference encapsulate the effort by critical stakeholders to maximize the opportunities offered by AfCTA. The AfCTA presents a very huge opportunity for export within the African Continent. “Sokoto state shares border with key ECOWAS countries and thereby occupies a very strategic position and it could serve as a major market for agricultural commodities and products like onions.
“It is therefore imperative that we scale up production, add value, and improve the standard of this product and commodities, as this would help increase the food basket of exportable products from the state and ultimately the country as a whole,” she said, adding that globally, the value of exported onions rose with $4.26 billion in 2019 to 5.1 billion dollars in 2023.
Speaking at the conference, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alh. (Dr.) Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, appreciated NOPPMAN for making Sokoto State the largest producer of onion in Nigeria, and called on the Nigerian Export Promotion Council as well as NOPPMAN to attract investors in setting up of an onion processing factory in the state, as his government is ready for such partnership.
He assured that his administration is ready to continue to offer necessary support to investors in the state, to improve the economy of the state.
In his address, the president, NOPPMAN, Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitasamu, emphasized that the discussion on the conference theme was not only timely but crucial to the future of the onion sector and the broader agricultural value chain in Africa. The president acknowledged the importance of collaboration between various stakeholders to achieve the goals of the conference.
As a step in the right direction, The Raw Materials and Research Development Council (RMRDC) has drawn up a comprehensive roadmap, about a 100 page documents unveiled at the conference, on onion policy development in Nigeria.
The Director General of the council, Professor Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, informed that the document which was prepared by experts in different areas spanning across production, processing, marketing, logistics, exportation etc, will be handed to the relevant people at the conclusion of the conference.
He commended the president, NOPPMAN, for his hardwork and consistency in the development of the onion sub-sector.
Addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector, which includes climate change, low level of modernization, post harvest losses and lack of access to finance, the Kebbi State Governor, Comrade Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, represented by his commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Shehu Muazu, stated that his government has launched a program called, “The Kaura Agricultural Development Agenda,” with the Acronym (KADAGE).
He explained that the KADAGE program procured and distributed 500 tonnes of assorted fertilizers to farmers, also procured and distributed 5000 solar power.
He noted also that Kebbi State is the backbone of onion production and this event offers the opportunities to share knowledge and strategies and also to strengthen the relationship in all the communities.
During the panel session discussion by the conference delegates, one of the major challenges facing the onion was pointed out.
The discussants lamented that Onion export in Nigeria is largely within the African region and lacks significant recognition or acceptance, as a result of the informal nature of the sector, and the currency of countries of import.
They further said that the currency of the importing countries in Africa is not recognized in the import and export window of the apex banks, and this has made repatriation of the onion export proceeds difficult through the formal window, noting that this poses challenges to exporters who are forced to use the parallel market for exchange of the onion export proceeds, necessitating the poor representation of Nigeria in the list of the top onion exporting countries.
It was recommended that export form (NSP) in the trade portal window should be linked with Pan African Payment Settlement System, for easy repatriation within African region, as this will help to address the issue of smuggling, adding that if repatriation is made easy using PAPS, trade formalization will be easier.
The conference also noted that there is inaccuracy of data usually published by the National Agricultural Extension and Liaison Services (NAERLS) on onion production and export.
Consequently, NAERLS was called to work hand in hand with NOPPMAN, to obtain accurate data for onion production, export and other data relevant for accurate publishing, to prevent inaccurate presentation of data.
The body called on government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria, and other institution to support the onion sector, particularly in educating farmers and traders on how the African Continental Free Trade Area works, and how to utilize the Pan African Payment Settlement System.
To mark the end of its maiden leadership since creation, the new executives of Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa (ROO/WCA) were inaugurated, with Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitasamu emerging as the current president.
The outgoing president, ROO/WCA, and Knight of the Order of Agricultural Merit of Niger, Alhadji Mustapha Kadiri (Sarkin Abzin), thanked and greatly appreciated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alh.(Dr.) Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, and the Senator representing Sokoto Central, His Excellency, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wammako for the warm reception he and all attendees of the conference received in the state.
He also assured NOPPMAN and ORO members that they are in good hands as Aliyu Isah Maitasamu is capable and ever ready to handle the affairs of the onion sector with dedication, as he advised the new executives of the association not to take any decision in a hurry without consulting members for their inputs.
The conference ended with the presentation of awards to deserving stakeholders.
