Adamawa Onion Farmers Seek Urgent Government Support as Production Declines

By Alhassan Haladu Yola.

The Adamawa State Onion Farmers' Association has appealed to the Federal and Adamawa State Governments to urgently intervene by providing farmers with affordable agricultural inputs to boost onion production and address the growing scarcity of the commodity.

The National Secretary of the association, Ibrahim Goni Dasin, made the appeal while addressing journalists in Yola. He said onion farmers across the state are grappling with the rising cost of essential farm inputs, particularly fertilizers, pesticides and other agrochemicals, a situation he said has severely affected production this farming season.

According to Dasin, the increasing cost of production has made it difficult for many farmers to cultivate onions on a large scale, warning that if the challenges are not addressed promptly, Adamawa State and neighbouring states could experience a more serious shortage of onions in the coming months.

He expressed concern that despite the government's programme to distribute subsidized fertilizer to farmers, onion producers in the state have not benefited from the initiative. He urged the authorities to ensure that onion farmers are included in future distributions and are given access to affordable fertilizers and other farming inputs needed to improve productivity.

Dasin also called on members of the Onion Farmers' Association to remain united and strengthen their cooperation in order to advance onion farming across Adamawa State. He said greater collaboration among farmers would help them address common challenges and improve the sector's contribution to food security and the state's economy.

The association noted that onion supplies are currently scarce in many markets across Adamawa State, forcing traders to source the commodity from neighbouring states to satisfy consumer demand. The development, according to the farmers, has contributed to the sharp increase in the price of onions, placing additional financial pressure on households and businesses that depend on the produce.

The Onion Farmers' Association expressed optimism that with timely government intervention through the provision of subsidized farm inputs, improved access to agricultural support programmes and stronger collaboration with stakeholders, onion production in Adamawa State would increase, helping to stabilize supply, reduce prices and improve the livelihoods of farmers.