In a bid to stamp out the proliferation of counterfeit onion seeds across Nigeria, the National Onion Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has launched a coordinated effort with security agencies to identify and bring offenders to justice.
The association’s crackdown, which aims to protect the integrity of the onion value chain, comes amid growing concerns over the adverse economic impact of fake seeds on farmers nationwide.
NOPPMAN President, Alhaji Aliyu Isa, disclosed in Sokoto that a suspect identified as Jafaru from Kano State had recently been apprehended in connection with the circulation of questionable onion seeds.
Though Jafaru claimed he only sold genuine seeds and merely had the counterfeit ones in his possession, the seized items have been withheld for laboratory examination.
“We cannot take chances. The confiscated seeds must undergo proper testing before any conclusions are drawn,” Alhaji Isa explained, adding that the investigation would determine whether legal proceedings will follow.
He confirmed that NOPPMAN is working in partnership with the Sokoto Agricultural Development Project and the National Horticultural Research Institute to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the seeds in question.
The association’s intensified surveillance and enforcement activities are part of efforts to clean up the onion farming sector and shield smallholder farmers from economic harm.
Isa expressed alarm over the recurring infiltration of inferior seeds into the market, which he said had inflicted massive losses on farmers.
“Last year, the onion industry suffered immensely due to the circulation of poor-quality seeds. Many farmers lost everything they invested,” he lamented.
He described the situation as economic sabotage, warning that some dealers are still attempting to deceive unsuspecting farmers with substandard seed varieties.
According to him, intelligence gathered by the association has exposed ongoing plans by unscrupulous elements to distribute low-grade seeds during the next planting season.
“We are taking this matter very seriously. Anyone caught engaging in this type of fraudulent activity will be prosecuted,” Isa said, noting that NOPPMAN is determined to sanitise the sector in collaboration with federal and state authorities.
He emphasised that protecting the interests of farmers remains the association’s top priority.
While detailed assessments of the financial toll are still underway, Isa said concrete figures on the damage done to onion farmers would likely be available by July or August 2025.
Nonetheless, he assured stakeholders that both state and federal governments are already exploring ways to support affected farmers and ensure they recover from the setbacks.
When contacted, Jafaru denied knowingly selling fake seeds.
He maintained that he had no idea NOPPMAN required individuals in possession of uncertified seed stock to submit them for verification.
However, he pledged to cooperate fully with the authorities and said he was prepared to face the law if found guilty.
