The white onion of Soucoucoutane, Niger is much more than just a vegetable. Once nearly forgotten, its revival by local farmers and SWISSAID has brought new agricultural, economic and social prospects to a rural area heavily affected by droughts and irregular rainfall. This boost in food security and climate resilience is particularly beneficial for women farmers, who perform the majority of agricultural labour.
Facts
Aims
The project aims to improve the local economy and food security of 11 villages in Soucoucoutane, as well as strengthen socio-economic inclusion and gender equity within the communities in the region. Particular emphasis is placed on increasing the production and income of small-scale agricultural producers.
This project is co-financed by the SDC program contribution.
A small, white bulb, unremarkable in appearance – but well-known for its many healing benefits: soothing inflammations, relieving certain urinary ailments, or calming coughs. It is available as an herbal tea, an ointment, or even as handmade soaps. Can you guess what it is?
The bulb in question is an onion. But not just any onion: it is specifically the white onion from Soucoucoutane, a rural area in Niger, where agriculture is both an essential source of livelihood and a precarious balancing act.
White onions from Soucoucoutane displayed on a market stall table
A resilient crop for challenging climate conditions
Soucoucoutane counts a population of 45’000 people, inhabiting an area the size of the canton of Fribourg. The region is facing difficult environmental conditions such as dry soils and irregular rainfall. Rain-fed crops like millet, sorghum, and cowpeas are struggling and consequently endangering the food security of the local communities.
The only alternative for continuing to cultivate the land and preventing rural exodus is to take advantage of abundant groundwater resources through appropriate infrastructure and develop irrigated crops. This is the goal of a project launched in 2016 to produce and market white onions.
Reviving traditional crops through agroecology
The nearly century-old onion variety had almost disappeared in the region when SWISSAID and local farming families from Fédération Zoumountchi began to revive its sustainable cultivation and commercialisation over ten years ago.
“We introduce them to agroecological techniques. These include composting methods, as well as the production of liquid fertilisers, which they learn about in training sessions and follow-up check-ins. The members really appreciate this because they get to see the difference between agroecological production and conventional agriculture,” explains Hamani Mahamadou, project assistant at SWISSAID Niger.
A woman in front of the sign marking the start of the Soucoucoutane project in 2014-2016.
The white onion production and marketing project was launched in 2016 in the rural commune of Soucoucoutane in Niger.
A farmer in a white onion field in Niger. This woman confirms that organic production has no negative impact on taste or shelf life.
In the early years, the project focused on reviving the cultivation of white onions in the region using agroecological methods.
Small onions, big impact
Reviving the production of white onion has quickly borne fruit. Since 2016, the number of white onion farmers within Fédération Zoumountchi has risen from a mere 84 to 1034. It’s safe to say: white onions are now part of the region’s agricultural heritage.
That said, the project does not stop at the production stage: marketing the surplus produce is equally important. However, Soucoucoutane is located in a remote area and far from any urban centres. The farmers therefore have few opportunities to sell their goods in the region or are forced to accept very low prices for them.
A new onion market emerges
In the last few years, the project has been working hard to develop new markets. Finally, the first onion market in Soucoucoutane was held in 2023. Farmers from all across the region brought sixteen tons of white onions to the fair. In 2025, at the third edition of the market, 50 tons were sold – an immensely encouraging increase.
Buyers are also turning up in large numbers. “I already sold all 69 bags that I brought with me on the very first day. Customers were rushing to buy the produce, even at night!” reports Moumouni Oumarou, salesman and president of Fédération Zoumountchi, excitedly.
After all, the white onions are not just healthy, but also inexpensive. “You can either buy them to eat or to try cultivating them in your own garden. We hope that white onions will soon reach all parts of Niger, not just Soucoucoutane!” says Adamou Saley, chief of Gabgoura village.
Inauguration of the white onion fair in April 2023.
Inauguration of the white onion fair in April 2023. Many city and regional officials attended the event.
A woman selling onion's derived products at the Onion Fair 2025.
White onion fair in April 2025. A merchant at her stand selling onion-based products: soap, remedies, teas.
Unlocking the economic potential of women farmers in Niger
Although women make up half of the Fédération Zoumountchi, it is almost exclusively men who can be seen working at the market stalls or taking up decision-making roles in the community. In part, this can be explained by high illiteracy rates, which limit women’s access to strategic roles within the Fédération and hinder their participation in the market. For some, selling produce is a complicated affair: they have to master trading, units of measurements, and the language of their customers, as well as be able to negotiate good prices. As a result, many are forced to entrust the sale of their products to the men or intermediaries, which weakens their economic autonomy.
To enable women farmers to reap the full benefits of their labour, learning centres have been set up in five villages. The women can sign up to receive training in marketing or leadership, so that they will be better equipped to publicly participate in their communities and get involved in local politics.
What we see happening in Soucoucoutane is in a way a success story as multilayered as an onion: the return of a traditional crop that offers women better economic and political opportunities – and equips the entire community with tools to fight food insecurity in a sustainable way.
