The Sokoto State government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting onion production across the state.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Bashir Muhammad Achida, at a sensitisation workshop on the establishment of onion farming clusters held at Kara Onion Market, Sokoto.

The workshop was organised by the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC).

Achida said the government was determined to ensure the construction of large onion storage facilities, establishment of seed modification centres, provision of modern farming implements and training of farmers in modern farming techniques.

He noted that the construction of storage facilities had reached an advanced stage and that budgetary allocation to agriculture had been increased in line with Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s nine-point SMART Innovative Agenda.

The Executive Director of NEPC, Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, represented by Mr. Adebayo Ogundeji, urged farmers to increase onion production for the global market and pledged continued support for exportation.

The NOPPMAN President, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, said efforts were underway to secure Federal Government loans for farmers through their clusters.

The state chairman of the association, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Audu Wamakko, called on farmers to embrace modern farming techniques to achieve bumper harvests.