October 15, 2021

Enhancing the value of moringa: The plant with a thousand virtues

Fresh Produce

Niger

The moringa market is booming in Niger. While experts are working to determine its real place in the country's economy, no reliable statistics exist to date on this much-coveted commodity consumed by the Nigerien population. A food and therapeutic plant, moringa is more than just leaves - it is also called the miracle plant. In Niger, there is no specific season for its production. Even if there are some peak periods for its consumption such as Ramadan, moringa is produced all year round. In the winter period, production increases in the areas of Maradi, Tilabéri, and Dosso where irrigation is easier thanks to rainwater. However, during this same period, as its price is at its lowest, producers pre-cook the leaves and dry them for domestic and foreign markets, particularly Nigeria.

A better organization of the sector

For several years, two unions of producers and processors, Nassaraoua and Goroubi, have combined their efforts to develop the Moringa sector in Niger. In 2020, the two unions requested the support of 2SCALE to scale up their activities. The partnership between the two unions and 2SCALE around the moringa aims at structuring the sector for the benefit of the two entities which constitute the union.

The relationship between Nassaraoua and the small producers of moringa is based on common concerns. First, it is a question of organizing the sector well and improving the conditions of production and conservation of moringa during certain periods of the year, in particular the wintering. It is also a question of having a stable, accessible and profitable market for all producers.

Oumar Sambou is the leading producer representing the production arm of the partnership. In his six hectare field in Yoware, he has been producing moringa for over 10 years. In this locality located in the North East of Niamey, the capital of Niger, the locals call moringa "life." Oumar explained:

In the past, no crop was successful on this land. Only millet could persist, but with a low yield. So we started to produce moringa, which gave a new lease of life to the land. That's why here, everyone calls moringa life.

For Oumar, as for many other producers, moringa cultivation is a real source of income. But the bag which is sold at 3000 F in the dry season is sold at 750 F during the winter season. To harmonize the price in all seasons, it is necessary to ensure a better production.

Today our crucial objective is to valorize moringa, and train people on good production techniques, the use of quality seeds and the use of organic fertilizers. We hope that with the involvement of the processors in the partnership, the moringa will have more added value.

A nutritious and accessible food on the table

Moringa is accessible to all. It is consumed and appreciated in all areas of Nigerien society. During Ramadan, mixed with peanut paste, it is the first food consumed after breaking the fast. Despite the high demand, producers have difficulty finding good intermediaries to buy their products. Issoufou Niandou is the Director of the Nassaraoua agricultural company, whose activity is focused on fresh and dried moringa leaves. According to him, the actors of the partnership are actively looking for loyalty from some central purchasing agencies that can guarantee the purchase of productions and ensure a sustainable income to producers in any season.

I see moringa taking on more importance in the future, because nowadays in Niger, everyone is convinced that it is a product that must be developed and promoted. We are looking for a continuous relationship with the processors who can express important needs and take our productions. In view of all its virtues, I think that the real boost for the sector would be to establish relations with pharmaceutical partners.

In addition to its food virtues, moringa has more therapeutic values. As part of the partnership, the activities of processing will focus on the production of nutritious flours based on millet and soy mixed with moringa for pregnant women, children and the elderly, and also promote its use for medicinal purposes.

To date, one of the key activities of the partnership is the training of business champions and women processors in the techniques of processing fresh moringa leaves into nutritious products. The partnership is also working on increasing the level of production and processing of fresh moringa leaves into nutritious products accessible to low-income consumers in Niger.

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