Moringa Value Chain Management as Climate Change Adaptation Strategies in Tahoua State, Niger Republic

Moringa oleifera Lamis a natural as well as cultivated variety of the genus Moringa belonging to family Moringaceae originated from India. Moringa is a fast-growing, drought-resistant tree that is widespread in all subtropical regions. The Moringa value chain is also considered as the best candidate for tackling challenges of nutritional needs and resilient agricultural production. Several studies have argued that climate-resilient value chain development as applied to Moringa can be used to not only mitigate the negative impacts of climate change, but also to provide an alternative source of income, medicine, and food for many vulnerable rural farmers. However, the harmonious integration of economic, social, environmental, and institutional dimensions on sustainable Moringa value chain management and economic growth among rural farmers is poorly documented in the academic literature. The purpose of this chapter is to determine how Moringa value chain development can be used to enhance farmers’ resilience, build capacity, and promote welfare. The random utility that is well rooted in microeconomic theory is employed to assess the Moringa value chain. Based on previous study and a focus group with resource persons, five attributes each varying at four levels were considered and included in this chapter. Results suggest that the economic dimension of growth, the social dimension of Moringa value chain impact positively on communities, the institutional dimension of improving regulatory framework, the environmental dimension of climate change adaptation, and the Moringa project options constitute the optimal combination that is capable of boosting the Moringa value chain. Results also reveal that the attribute-based evaluation is more welfare enhancing than the option-based approach. These findings may be useful for enhancing the Moringa value chain, reducing poverty and malnutrition, and achieving and maintaining sustainable development in the study area and beyond.