The 6th edition of the Seed Fair and a focus on the Gougui seed bank
Faced with an increasing number of climatic, economic and social shocks, rural areas in Niger are strengthening their resilience strategies. Among the most fundamental measures are community seed banks (CSBs), which play a key role in securing local food systems, strengthening social cohesion and developing income-generating activities. The 6th edition of the Dogondoutchi Seed Fair, held on 21 and 22 November 2025, once again demonstrated just how important they are.
A fair supporting smallholder farmers
In 2025, the Dogondoutchi Seed Fair brought together a wide range of stakeholders from the agricultural sector. Participants in this edition included members of the ten community seed banks in the municipalities of Matankari and Dankassari, representing around 500 beneficiaries per municipality, as well as producers from the Nexus-Urgence Project’s intervention area.
In total, nearly 3,000 farmers, as well as representatives from the University of Niamey, the University of Tillabéri, implementation partners of the CROPS4HD programme (including CRESA, Agrifocus, Rayakarkara and FCMN-Niya), the Niger Farmers’ Platform, and the people of Dogondoutchi, took part in these two days of discussions.
Beyond the diversity of the participants, the fair stood out for the variety of seeds on display and for sale: cowpea, voandzou, millet, sorghum, fonio, sesame, groundnut, as well as amaranth, sorrel, moringa, jujube and processed products such as oil and groundnut paste. This diversity reflects both local crop biodiversity and the communities’ ability to preserve and make the most of their genetic resources.
Significant economic results for Seed Banks
The 2025 edition was also marked by particularly notable sales revenue for the participating community seed banks. In the commune of Dan Kassari, revenue generated during the fair reached high levels, led by the Dan Kassari CSB, which earned over 2.3 million CFA francs (nearly 3,200 CHF) from the sale of voandzou, cowpeas and fonio.
In the commune of Matankari, the trend is similar. The Matankari Community Seed Bank stood out with nearly 2.7 million CFA francs (around 3,800 CHF) in turnover, driven by significant volumes of cowpeas, millet , sesame and sorghum. Other banks, such as those in Amouké and Birni Lokoyo, also generated significant revenue, thereby strengthening their capacity for reinvestment.
These results illustrate the vital role of seed fairs not only as venues for the distribution and exchange of plant material, but also as economic drivers enabling CSBs to consolidate their funds, ensure their sustainability and support local initiatives.
The example of the Gougui Community Seed Bank
The case of the Gougui CSB, in the municipality of Dankassari, is particularly revealing of the potential synergies between production, processing and local resilience. The Gougui CSB is mainly supplied by producers from the village, which is situated in an area renowned for its high peanut production. As part of the CROPSH4D programme, specific support was provided to certain producers in the form of improved peanut seeds and agroecological farming practices, aimed at enhancing the availability and quality of the raw material.
This increased production serves a dual purpose. On the one hand, it replenishes the stocks of the Gougui seed bank, thereby ensuring sustainable access to seeds for future growing seasons. On the other hand, it supports the ongoing operation of the peanut processing unit run by the Matankari Women Processors’ Platform, contributing to the development of income-generating activities.
At the 2025 fair, the Gougui BSC presented a diverse range of products: cowpeas, voandzou, peanuts, fonio, moringa, as well as locally processed peanut oil and paste. With revenue totalling 735,000 CFA francs, the bank has confirmed its ability to add value to both seeds and processed products, whilst strengthening the local economy.
The 6th edition of the Dogondoutchi Seed Fair fully illustrates the strategic role of community seed banks in rural areas of Niger. By promoting access to a diverse range of local seeds, generating income and strengthening links between stakeholders, these initiatives make a tangible contribution to the resilience of communities in the face of multiple crises.