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Case Study: Market Access

Composting Inspires Entrepreneurs in Niger

Farming First Farming First

La Fédération des Coopératives Maraîchères du Niger (FCMN)

Composting Inspires Entrepreneurs in Niger

Niger

La Fédération des Coopératives Maraîchères du Niger (FCMN) focuses on growing vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, onions and cabbage. Over the years, soil fertility, structure and texture have decreased at lot. FCMN has therefore been working since 2003 to teach its members how to compost in urban and rural areas.

Using compost allows farmers to make good use of vegetable waste from markets, and enriches farmers’ soils with nutrients. Farmers have also seen considerable increases in crop yields. Farmers are now able to produce 20 tons of onion per hectare, from 15 tons that they were producing before. They have reported a similar increase for potatoes, with production rising from 20 to 25 tons per hectare. Farmers have also reported their soils are better able to retain water. The practice therefore supports the climate-smart pillars of increasing food security, whilst building resilience.

“The results obtained are tremendous,” comments Boubacar Yacouba, a farmer from Niamey. “They have gone beyond my expectations. I have been able to increase my yields for various products (onion, potatoes) and provide healthy agricultural products for local market. Furthermore, I also get direct income from the marketing of compost.”

Through inter-cooperative visits and training, which shares of knowledge between farmers, FCMN and its member cooperatives have been able to promote the production and use of compost by many farmers. Some of its members become entrepreneurs, producing and commercializing compost themselves.


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Case study prepared by:

La Fédération des Coopératives Maraîchères du Niger (FCMN)

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