Making market information work for neglected crops in Niger

Yet, for many small-scale producers – especially those cultivating neglected and underutilized species (NUS) such as moringa, okra, roselle, sweet potato and Bambara groundnut – this information has long been missing. Traditional market monitoring systems in Niger and across West Africa typically focus on major staple crops. As a result, local and underutilized species remain invisible in market data, limiting opportunities for informed production and investment decisions.

A recent OECD study on trade in West Africa highlighted how these gaps contribute to underestimating the true economic and social importance of food systems. The findings underscore two critical implications:

Local food systems — particularly those based on traditional and underutilized crops — play a far greater role in regional economies than current statistics reveal.
Data remains a key driver for informed investment and policy planning; unless we act to capture what is currently ‘unrecorded’, we risk missing crucial opportunities to strengthen food security, livelihoods, and sustainable value chains.