Farmer Advocates Organic Manure Use for Sustainable Onion Production

News in Brief:

—Abia State community leader James Uchegbuo called on state governments to promote onion cultivation and encourage the use of organic manure to improve crop quality and shelf life.

—He urged greater investment in climate-resilient seeds, extension services and farm support, describing onion farming as a viable pathway to job creation and food security.

A prominent community leader in Abia State, James Uchegbuo, has called on governments across Nigeria's South-East to invest in large-scale onion cultivation and promote the use of organic manure. He claims that this will improve crop quality, reduce post-harvest losses, and strengthen food security.

Speaking in Umuahia on Monday to mark the recent National Onion Day, Uchegbuo, who is the Vice President of the Ikwuano Development Union Federated (IDUF) and President General of the Ahuwa-Oboro Autonomous Community in the Ikwuano Local Government Area, urged farmers to adopt more sustainable agricultural practices rather than relying heavily on synthetic fertilisers.

Organic Farming to Improve Onion Quality

According to Uchegbuo, onions cultivated decades ago using natural manure and organic farming methods had a much longer storage life than many of today's harvests.

He argued that excessive reliance on chemical fertilisers has contributed to reduced shelf life, resulting in quicker spoilage and increased post-harvest losses.

"Today, the increasing dependence on synthetic fertilisers has significantly shortened the storage life of onions, resulting in quicker spoilage and increased post-harvest losses," he revealed. "Greater use of organic manure and environmentally friendly farming practices is the way forward because healthier soils produce stronger crops that are not only more durable after harvest but also safer for human consumption."

South-East's Onion Production Potential

Uchegbuo challenged governors and agricultural policymakers in the South-East to diversify beyond traditional crops by supporting commercial onion production across suitable ecological zones.

He identified parts of Abia State, particularly Ikwuano and Bende, as well as areas in Enugu, Ebonyi, Anambra and northern Imo State as locations with favourable soil conditions that could support large-scale onion cultivation, especially during the dry season with proper irrigation and improved farming techniques.

He described onion farming as an underutilised economic opportunity capable of reducing unemployment and poverty across the region.

Youths Encouraged to Embrace Agriculture

The community leader also urged unemployed youths to consider onion farming as a profitable enterprise instead of engaging in criminal activities or other unproductive ventures.

According to him, the growing demand for onions presents an opportunity for both graduates and non-graduates to establish small-scale farms that can gradually expand into commercial businesses.

He also encouraged low-income earners to take advantage of the crop's strong market demand as a pathway to sustainable income generation.

Call for Government Support

To unlock the sector's full potential, Uchegbuo called on governments at all levels to provide farmers with improved climate-resilient onion seeds, affordable access to farmland, subsidised farm inputs and effective agricultural extension services.

He noted that such interventions would improve productivity, encourage more people to venture into onion farming and contribute to national food security.

National Onion Day Highlights Importance of the Crop

Uchegbuo's remarks coincided with the global observance of National Onion Day, celebrated annually on June 27 to recognise the importance of onions and the contributions of farmers, processors and distributors to global food systems.

Widely regarded as one of the world's most essential food crops, onions form the foundation of countless traditional and modern cuisines and are valued for their flavour, versatility and nutritional benefits.

Nutrition experts identify onions as a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds, making them an affordable and healthy component of balanced diets.

National Onion Day was established in 2019 by the National Onion Association to commemorate the organisation's founding in 1913 and celebrate the role of onion producers in supporting global food security.