Kebbi onion farmers on post-harvest handling, improved storage techniques

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has trained farmers in Kebbi State to address the challenges affecting onion production in Nigeria due to poor storage of the produce.

The permanent secretary in the Federal Department of Agriculture, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, said the training which focused on adoption of good post-harvest handling and improved storage techniques for onion producers, was borne out of the need for government to continue upgrading farmers, relevant desk officers and extension staff on coordinated agricultural innovative approach required to reduce post-harvest losses and increase onion shelf life.

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Umakhihe, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mrs Omotosho Marvelous, said “It’s sad to note that over 40 percent of onions is lost at post-harvest and storage levels.

“This is with a demand gap of 1.5m metric tons amid explosive population growth to be bridged by importation of onions and onion products such as onion powder and oil valued at 3.22m dollars in 2020 which exerts enormous pressure on the nation’s foreign exchange earnings,” he said.