By Raymond Akorede
BoI and RMRDC Team Up to Revolutionize Nigeria’s Onion Value Chain
In a significant move to combat post-harvest losses and enhance value addition in the onion sector, the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) have announced a strategic partnership aimed at transforming Nigeria’s onion industry. The collaboration, which was formalized during a meeting on Wednesday between the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso, and the Managing Director/CEO of BoI, Dr. Olasupo Olusi, marks a critical step towards increasing both domestic consumption and export potential for the country’s onion products.
Prof. Ike-Muonso shared the vision for the partnership, emphasizing the importance of creating a processing facility that would convert surplus fresh onions into high-value products such as flakes and powder. This, he explained, would help mitigate the massive post-harvest losses that have plagued the onion sector for years, where over 50% of the harvest is lost due to poor preservation techniques, inadequate infrastructure, and limited market access.
“The aim is to harness the vast amounts of onions grown in Nigeria and convert them into valuable processed products, ensuring that more of the harvest reaches the market,” Ike-Muonso said. “This partnership with BoI is a vital step towards achieving this goal, and it has the potential to revitalize the onion value chain, promote food security, and create new jobs.”
The proposed processing facility will be key in addressing Nigeria’s ongoing challenge of post-harvest waste. The RMRDC hopes that the facility will not only reduce onion waste but also stimulate economic growth by creating new industrial opportunities and encouraging investments in other high-value agricultural products, such as jute bags.
Dr. Olusi of BoI expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that while the partnership holds great promise, it is essential to conduct thorough feasibility studies and research before proceeding with implementation. “We want to ensure that this initiative delivers long-term benefits and addresses the root causes of post-harvest losses effectively,” Olusi stated.
He highlighted that the processing facility would help extend the shelf life of onions, improve the livelihoods of local farmers, and open up export opportunities, positioning Nigeria as a significant player in the global onion market.
The RMRDC, a key agency under Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation, plays a crucial role in the development and utilization of industrial raw materials to promote sustainable growth. Meanwhile, BoI is a leading development finance institution dedicated to supporting Nigeria’s industrial sector through financial and business assistance.
With this partnership, both organizations aim to create a more resilient and profitable onion industry, contributing to the country’s agricultural industrialization efforts and boosting its competitiveness on the global stage.
