The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) has intensified its clampdown on the sale and distribution of counterfeit onion seeds, with the recent arrest of a suspect identified as Jafaru, a Kano-based seed dealer allegedly caught in possession of fake seeds meant for unsuspecting farmers.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday in Sokoto, the National President of the association, Alhaji Aliyu Isa, confirmed the development and decried the growing threat posed by the infiltration of substandard seeds into Nigeria’s onion farming ecosystem. He warned that the ongoing circulation of inferior seeds had already caused devastating losses running into billions of naira, crippling the livelihoods of smallholder farmers nationwide.
According to Alhaji Isa, the suspect was apprehended following credible intelligence reports that exposed efforts by some unscrupulous actors within the agro-input supply chain to introduce low-quality seeds into the market. He explained that while Jafaru admitted to being in possession of the seeds, he claimed to only sell the quality ones, a claim NOPPMAN said could not yet be verified.
“In the course of our investigation, Jafaru admitted to holding the seeds in question, although he insisted he was only distributing the good ones. For now, all the seeds found in his possession have been confiscated, and we are awaiting the results of a thorough laboratory analysis,” Isa revealed.
NOPPMAN is currently collaborating with the Sokoto Agricultural Development Project and the National Horticultural Research Institute to test the seized seeds. The association says the outcome of the tests will determine the next legal steps, including whether the seeds would be released or used as evidence in prosecuting the suspect.
Alhaji Isa further disclosed that the association had, in recent months, stepped up its surveillance and enforcement actions in response to what he described as a troubling rise in agricultural sabotage. He added that NOPPMAN was working hand in hand with security agencies and other stakeholders to root out individuals undermining the integrity of the onion value chain.
“Last year, the onion subsector suffered major setbacks due to the circulation of fake and poor-quality seeds. These actions have continued to inflict serious damage on the economy and the livelihoods of millions of hardworking Nigerian farmers. We are no longer going to tolerate this,” the NOPPMAN president stated.
He assured members of the association that concrete steps were being taken in partnership with federal and state authorities to cleanse the market of counterfeit agricultural inputs. He also reaffirmed NOPPMAN’s commitment to defending the interests of genuine farmers who rely on authentic seeds for their production.
Preliminary estimates of the total losses incurred by farmers are still being compiled, with Alhaji Isa noting that a detailed report is expected to be released by July or August 2025. He called on farmers to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing seeds from unverified sources, while urging them to submit any questionable seed stock for certification as directed by the association.
In response to the allegations, Jafaru maintained his innocence, stating that he was unaware of the association’s directives requiring seed dealers to subject their stock to certification. He, however, expressed his willingness to cooperate with investigators and face the consequences should he be found guilty.
“I did not knowingly distribute fake seeds. I only had them in my possession and didn’t know about the requirement to present them for testing. If the authorities find me guilty after proper investigation, I am ready to accept whatever the law decides,” Jafaru reportedly said.
This latest development marks a critical step in the ongoing efforts to restore confidence in Nigeria’s onion production sector and protect thousands of farmers whose livelihoods depend on the integrity of agricultural inputs.
