Niger -- export marketing of Nigerien onions : executive summary

Farmers, traders, and truckers enjoy a reliable cash income stream from onion sales, while the government derives considerable tax revenue (25 million CFA in 1992) from onion exports to neighboring countries. In the current climate of economic and political liberalization, onion production and trade are important because they developed in the private sector, and are relatively free of the distorting effects of public sector marketing board interventions that have plagued the development of other cash crops throughout Niger and West Africa as a whole. Both Niger and its donors are anxious to learn from onion marketing how to better diversity Niger"s agricultural economy. This study of Niger"s onion production and marketing system is divided into six sections: domestic production; exports and export potential; policies and investments related to onion marketing; conditions that contribute to onion marketing efficiency; marketing efficiency and costs; and prospects for increasing production and marketing. Data were collected from both official and informal channels. (Author abstract, modified)