Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, KSADP has constructed 61 Artificially Aerated Onion Storage Technology facilities in Kano State, with funds from the Islamic Development Bank, and the Lives and Livelihood Funds, LLF, through Sasakawa Africa Association.
Aerated Onion Storage Technology (AOST), is a method to extend the shelf life of onions and reduce storage losses. This technology involves using solar-powered fans to circulate air around the onions, keeping the onion neck tissue and outer scales dry. This helps prevent moisture buildup and spoilage, leading to increased shelf life and significantly reducing losses.
During a visit by a mission comprising officials from the Abuja regional hub of the Islamic Development Bank and the Federal Ministry of Finance, led by Daniyar Abylkhan, farmers at Gundutse, Kura local government area told the team, that hitherto, using traditional storage methods, they record loss of up to 50 percent was due to the perishable nature of onions.
One of the farmers, Bala Ibrahim told the delegation that by extending the shelf life of the onions and reducing waste by about 95 percent, the income of the farmer’s have increased
“With this technology, farmers can store onions for up to six months and have better access to markets in the Southern and Eastern parts of this country”, he stressed.
Daniyar Abylkhan and his team who spent good time interacting with the farmers noted that the new technology was environmentally friendly as it is solar-powered.
Conducting the delegation round, the Project Coordinator, KSADP/SAA, Malam Abdurrashid Hamisu Kofar Mata explained that the technology which was adopted from India has immensely benefited onion farmers in Kano.
Earlier on, the State Project Coordinator, Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project, Ibrahim Garba Muhammad stated that the intervention aims to address post-harvest losses normally encountered by the farmers, and to address gaps in knowledge on how to properly store produce, using superior technology in line with the project objectives.