Fake Onion Seeds Make Farmers Lose Billions in Nigeria
Nigeria’s onion farmers are crying out after losing huge amounts of money to fake seeds that ruined their harvests. Reports show that farmers in Jigawa State alone have already lost over ₦1 billion, with the problem affecting other onion-producing states as well.
Onion farming is not just about food – it provides jobs for thousands of Nigerians, from planting and harvesting to transporting and selling. Sadly, the use of these substandard seeds has left many farmers stranded, and experts warn this could lead to onion scarcity and higher prices for both households and food businesses.
Aliyu Maitasamu Isah, President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), confirmed that farmers lost billions to counterfeit seeds. He stressed that if this continues, onions may become scarce and more expensive.
Similarly, Dauda Marma, Chairman of the Jigawa Onion Farmers Association, explained that the bad seeds were imported from Morocco and smuggled into Nigeria through Kebbi and Yobe States by unscrupulous traders. He added that apart from fake seeds, flooding and heavy rains caused by climate change also worsened farmers’ losses, with damages estimated at about ₦300 billion across northern states.
Globally, onions remain big business – with over $5 billion worth of exports recorded in 2024. Nigeria is one of Africa’s top producers, growing about 2 million tons yearly, but most of it is consumed locally. Unfortunately, the recent losses mean Nigeria may depend more on imports, which could put pressure on food prices.
The Jigawa farmers are already planning to establish a special onion market in Marma, Kirikasamma Local Government Area, to strengthen local trade and attract buyers from other African countries.
Why this matters to Naija: Onions are part of almost every Nigerian meal – from stew to suya sauce. If prices shoot up, it affects both poor and middle-class households. This crisis also shows how fake farm inputs and climate change can destabilize food security in Nigeria.
👉 What do you think? Should the government step in to regulate seed imports better, or should farmers find a way to produce their own quality seeds locally? Share your thoughts!
