A GRICULTURE AND FORESTRYIN NIGERPRESENT SITUATION AND ISSUESFOR DEVELOPMENT

March 2009

Preface
This study report is the Niger version of the series of “country studies” published by the
Association.
In order to contribute to the agricultural and forestry development overseas, and implement
the agricultural and forestry development overseas, when various cooperation projects areplanned and formulated. In the formulation and implementation of these projects, it isindispensable to precisely acknowledge the politics, economy, society, nature and culture of
the country concerned, and is needed to correctly understand the issues for economic andsocial development of the country.
The current series of studies intend to specify the role of Japan in cooperation and its
future direction concerning the subject countries, through sorting out the present situation of
economy and society of the developing countries, and their issues of agriculture, forestry andfood situation
In this version, among the African countries, the Republic of Niger was selected among
the African countries which have increasing importance in official development assistance ofJapan.
Major industry in Niger consists of traditional agriculture and livestock, and uranium
mining which is an important export commodity for foreign currency earning. Almost 80% of
the total population dependｓ on the agriculture and livestock, but due to the harsh natural
condition of scarce rainfall less than 150mm /year for 3quarters of the total area, foodshortages and rural poverty are the perennial problems in this country. Further, decreasing
forest and expanding desertification are the source of concern and the country is ranked at
174 th among 177 countries on Human Development Index of UNDP 2007 Report. Thus the
improvement of natural and socio-economic environment and sustainable agriculture andrural development are urgently required.
It is strongly hoped that this report will contribute to clarify the current socio-economic
situation and issues to be addressed in the field of agriculture/ forestry, food and ruraldevelopment. Further, the report is expected to provide basic information for theconsideration of future development cooperation of Japan in these fields.

March 2009
Hisao AZUMA
President
Japan Association for International Collaborationof Agriculture and Forestry

National boundary
Regional boundary
National capital
Regional capital
Railroad
Road
Track

Table of Contents

Preface
Chapter I. National Economy and Agriculture/ Forestry ....................................................... 1
1. Structural Characteristics of Economy......................................................................... 1
1) Structure of industry .............................................................................................. 1
2) International trade.................................................................................................. 1
3) Constraints on the economic growth ...................................................................... 34) Recent economic trend ......................................................................................... 6
2. Target of Development and Status of Agriculture and Forestry.................................... 71) Poverty Reduction Strategy（PRS） ..................................................................... 72) Accelerated Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (ADPRS)..................... 8
3) Rural Development Strategy（SDR）and problems to be tackled .........................10
Chapter II. Trend of Agriculture and Forestry Development ................................................12
1. Current Situation of Agricultural Production ..............................................................12
1) Agricultural system .............................................................................................122) Types of agriculture and current situation of production .....................................15
2. Theme and Target for Agricultural Development........................................................36
1) Theme of agricultural development .......................................................................36
2) Targets established recently by the Ministry of Agricultural Development............37
3. Support System for Agricultural Production ...............................................................38
1) Law and regulation on land and rural areas ...........................................................38
2) Agricultural credit system .....................................................................................39
3) Farmers organizations , agriculture cooperatives .................................................40
4) Marketing of agricultural products ........................................................................41
4. Current Situation of Livestock Industry and the Issues for Development ..................41
1) Current situation of livestock ..............................................................................422) Themes of livestock industry ..............................................................................45
5. Trend of Forestry .......................................................................................................46
1) Forest areas...........................................................................................................462) Classification of forest (natural forest ) by types...................................................47
3) Forest products .....................................................................................................49
6. Trend of Fisheries ......................................................................................................50
Chapter III. Japan’s Development Cooperation on Agriculture and Forestry ......................54
1. Japanese Cooperation in General ................................................................................54
2. Performance of Japanese Development Cooperation on Agriculture and Forestry .......55
3. Major Agriculture and Forestry Projects and their Performance..................................57
1) Study on Sahel Oases Development ....................................................................57
2) Anti-desertification projects..................................................................................60

3) JOCV activities in Kareye-Gorou ..........................................................................61
4) Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers (ex-2KR) ......................................62
5) Increase of Food Production (ex-KR: Kennedy Round) .........................................64
6) Cooperation by NGOs, universities and others ......................................................64
4. Needs in Enforcement of the Program Approach ........................................................64

CHAPTER I. NATIONAL ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURE/ FORESTRY
1. Structural Characteristics of Economy
1) Structure of industry
In 2005, with per-capita income of $244 per year, the Republic of Niger ranked 174th among177countries by HDI: Human Development Index (UNDP 2007) and is considered as one of thepoorest countries in the world. Major industries are agriculture (livestock and cereal production) anduranium mining which share around 40% of GDP and 80% of export earnings. About 90% of the
population engage in the primary sector.
Since the independence in 1960 to 1980’s, the share of the primary sector in GDP has been
decreasing (Ref. Fig. I.1). This reflects the rapid development of the industrial sector owing to the
opening of uranium mining.
Since 1990’s, primary sector increased its GDP share gradually, but this has had not so much thepositive implication, because it was due to the decline of other sectors and increased crop production
to meet the demand for food of increasing population. Secondary sector based on uranium ischaracterized by the rapid growth in 70’s, followed by stagnation later. Since 2004, international
market price of uranium has been soaring but no significant change in export quantity was observed
and its share in GDP is gradually declining. As for tertiary sector, the GDP share recorded peak in
80’s and retain high share though stagnated. Informal sector is said to have 80% of GDP and seems toprovide significant contribution to the actual economic activities of the country.
(%)
80
農業
Agriculture
Mining /Industry
鉱工業
Services, etc.
サービス他

60

40

20

0
'60-'64 '65-'69 '70-'74 '75-'79 '80-'84 '85-'89 '90-'94 '95-'99 '00-'04 '05-'07
I.1 Trendofby
GDP
Sharesby Sector (1960-2007)
Fig. I.1 Trend ofFig.
GDP
SharesSector(1960-2007)

2) International trade
Major export commodities are, in addition to uranium, agricultural products including livestock. In
the initial stage after independence, her export commodities consisted mainly of cotton and livestock1

products such as meat and hides of cattle and sheep, following the pattern of the colonial days. Later in
1967, uranium deposits were discovered and then in 1977 production and export of refined uranium
started. Since then, mining sector has prospered and most of the export earning depended uranium.
However, due to the hovering international market price of uranium in 1980’, export of uranium hadstagnated. In 1994, for a limited period just after devaluation policy taken, production had increased
temporally, but again in 1999 its export turned to declining trend. Further, since 2004, due to soaring
international price of uranium, its production and export has been on upward trend. In spite of unstablesituation of uranium production and export as observed, there exist no major alternative export
commodities to uranium as yet and uranium remains as a single important enterprise covering morethan 50% of the total export earnings (Table11). From 2005, gold used for craft products has been
included in export commodity in statistics. This resulted in the increase in share of mining sector in
total export.
Table I.1 Export of major commodities (2005-2007)
UraniumGold
Livestock(Cattle)(sheep)Agricultural Products(Cowpea)(Onion)Others
Source: INS (2005, 2008)

2002
62.5
27.4
9.3
7.8
17.6
2.5
13.1
10.1

2003
65.6
26.7
11.1
6.4
16.4
1.6
12.6
7.5

2004
70.1
22.6
10.3
5.2
11.2
2.1
8.1
7.5

2005
78.5
30.0
19.8
10.3
3.3
16.4
1.3
13.8
15.7

(Billon. FCFA)

2006
79.6
20.0
21.2
10.5
3.8
14.2
1.0
11.7
9.3

2007
142.8
28.3
16.8
8.7
3.9
8.6
0.8
6.8
8.1

(%)
69.8
13.8
8.2
(4.3 )(1.9 )
4.2(0.4 )(3.3 )
4.0

Major export destinations of uranium are France followed by Japan. Livestock are mostly exported
to Nigeria. Additionally, onion is exported to Cote d’Ivoire and other neighboring countries(ECOWAS).
As for import commodities, food and food related items including cereals, oil and fat and processedfood are dominant. According to FAO Statistics, in 21007, about $240 mil. of agricultural products
were imported of which 40% were cereals headed by rice (Table1.2). Mineral products, notably
petroleum follows food in import (Table1.3).
Table I.2 Export/ import of agricultural products
Agr. Export Total
Agr. Import Total
Cereals
Wheat flour
Maize
Rice
Source: FAOSTAT

2000
91.0
115.3
37.2
8.6
2.5
24.2

2001
58.3
146.0
57.0
11.2
1.5
39.6

2002
76.9
171.8
64.7
12.8
2.5
47.8

2

2003
81.6
189.8
54.1
13.0
2.4
37.7

(Million $)
2004
90.3
218.4
86.4
9.1
10.5
56.9

2005
69.2
257.7
121.4
11.2
7.5
94.0

2006
70.5
238.0
88.8
9.8
4.4
63.7

Table I.3 Import by commodity (1998-2002)
Commodity
Food grain and fresh foodMineral products and petroleum
Processed foodChemical products
Oil and Fat
Machinery and equipment (Electrics)
Transportation and traffic materials
Machine and equipment (Ex. Electric)
Non metal and non metal products
Textile and textile products*Share in 2002
Source: CEDEAO(Million FCFA)

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

(%)*

39,49528,50625,48323,147
14,4396,907
14,77715,7598,408
9,146

30,10027,93423,436
18,342
16,6198,801
13,925
16,811
8,620
7,121

32,931
33,83624,94423,73013,133
6,821
13,582
10,296
7,635
9,377

48,96938,652
31,652
21,212
15,656
9,075
15,356
16,836
8,782
7,966

50,52250,34828,75425,242
19,60017,684
16,235
10,805
9,722
9,357

18.8
18.7
10.7
9.4
7.3
6.6
6.0
4.0
3.6
3.5

Trade balance of Niger has been chronically negative (Table I.4). In recent years, Niger has nearly
achieved self sufficiency for pearl millet and sorghum, but in the year 2005 just after the severe
draught, self-sufficiency ratio dropped to 85% (Secrétariat permanent de la SRP 2008). As the next
important cereal, rice is imported from Pakistan, China, Vietnam and other Asian countries andNigeria. From Nigeria, in addition to rice, industrial and mineral products are also imported. Dairy
products are mostly from Europe, headed by France and Netherland. Sugar had been mostly from
France in the past, but in recent years, import from Brazil has been gradually increasing (ECOWAS).
Table I.4 Trade balance (2001-2007)
2001
Export119
Import238.1
Balance-119.1
Source: INS (2005, 2008 (1)

2002
117.5
275.1
-157.6

2003
116.1
287.2
-171.1

2004
128
330.4
-202.4

2005
164.7
361.2
-196.5(Billion FCFA)
2006
143.9
414.3
-270.4

2007
205
416
-211

3) Constraints on the economic growth(1) Natural condition
Most of the agricultural products in Niger are crops for self sufficiency such as pearl millet andsorghum grown under rain-fed condition. These crops cover about 70% of the total cultivated area.
Other crops such as onion, cowpea and cotton, important as export commodities, are also grown under
the rain-fed condition. As around 65% of the total area have less than 100mm/ year rainfall on average,
cultivated area is only 3.5% of the total land area of the country. Irrigation facilities are provided toonly 1.6% of the cultivated area (FAO).
Impacts of climate change in recent years in Africa are serious, particularly in Niger, as islocated in the southern border of Sahara Desert. Drought and flood damages have occurred repeatedly.
Most recently in 2004, minor drought caused damages to self sustaining food and cash crops
production (Fig. I.2). In this year, in addition to drought, outbreak of desert locust caused damages toself sustaining cereal crops by more than 20% in some areas, leading to serious food shortages in thefollowing year.
3

(thousand t)
800(mm/year)
1200

600

1000

400
200

800

0

600

-200
-400

400

-600

200

-800
-1000

0
'90

'92

'94

rainfall (mm/year)

'96

'98

pearl millet

'00

'02

sorghum'04'06
cowpeaonion**onion: Total production in the country

Fig. I.2

Agricultural Production and Rainfall (Maradi Region 1990-2006)

Decreasing arable land and forest by the progressive desertification are noted. The level of waterflow of Niger river, the single most important river with perennial flow, has been declining and risingtemperature leads to increased transpiration. Torrential downpower within a short period and seasonal
wind bring disaster of soil erosion. Agriculture and livestock, which have more than 40% of GDP
share, are exposed always to these risks.
(2) Geographical condition
Niger is an inland country surrounded by other countries. Distance from the capital Niamey to
Cotonou, the nearest port city is about 1,000km and to Abidjan of Cote d’Ivoire is more than 1,500km.
Water level of Niger river is not high enough to accommodate the navigation of big vessel, andextensive Sahara Desert hinders the transportation to the northern Africa. Therefore transportation
depends mainly on upland route to the south. Compared to other coastal countries of Gulf of Guinea,
naturally cost and time for commodity trade are invariably high. Agricultural products for export are
mainly consumed in the region and so it is suited for land transportation. In contrast, rice and wheat
flour are imported with additional inland transportation cost. Therefore market prices of thesecommodities are comparatively higher than in other countries.
Transportation of uranium for export and import of equipment for uranium production depends on
the inland transportation. Due to road condition and others, bulk transportation seems to be difficult.
As for domestic transportation, with vast national land area of 3.4 times of Japan, development of4

transportation network seems to require huge amount of investment and time. As more than half of theland areas are in desert, whether sustainable benefit is expected to meet the investment needs to beconsidered, taking into account the survey/investigation results on petroleum and other mineral
resources deposit.
(3) Population growth
Average GDP growth rate from 2002 to 2006 was 3.9%/year and the rate of inflation in the same
period was 1.9% /year. In spite of the food crisis of 2005, the performance of economic growth wasquite near to the target of 4.0%. Meanwhile, population growth rate remained very high with
3.1%/year in ‘90s and in 2006 this has risen to 3.4%. Therefore, total population which was 8 million
in 1991, is now 13 million, more than 1.6 times in 2006 (World Bank 2008). Due to this pressure of
population increase, actual GDP/capita growth of 2002-2006 remains at only 0.6%/year (Secrétariat
permanent de la SRP 2008).
Population growth has also resulted in the negative impact through subdivision of land byinheritance, shortened fallow period, deforestation and overgrazing, together with expanding
desertification, all of these being contributing factors to deterioration of agricultural environment andstagnated economic growth. According to FAO estimate, 70,000-80,000ha of forest or pastureland arebeing reclaimed for farmland every year (FAO 2005).
(4) International demand/supply situation
As stated earlier, major export commodities are mineral products, notably uranium. Cotton isanother important export commodity though its share in total export earning is limited. As the pricesof these commodities highly depend on the demand/supply situation of the international market andfluctuate highly, the sector has fragility which cannot be solved by domestic industrial policy
measures alone. Fig. I.3 shows production, export and price of uranium in recent years. Export price ofuranium in ’90 had been in declining trend1, but in recent years it has been rising due to the increased
international demand. Time lag between production and export is observed. This might be due to thelack of infrastructure and personnel system to quickly respond to the demand from abroad. Anyway,
as production and export are controlled by overseas demand, cautious investment attitude seems to becontinued.

1

In Fig.I.3, sharp rise of price in 1994 is observed. This is due to the devaluation of the currency in that year. As
the value of the currency declined to half, actual price could be said to have decreased.

5

(thousand t)(FCFA/kg)

5

30000
25000

4

20000
15000

3

10000
5000

2

0
'90

'92

'94

Production quantity

'96

'98

'00

Export quantity

'02

'04

'06

Average export price (FCFA/kg)

Source: INS (2008)

Fig. I.3 Trends of production, Export and Price of Uranium(5) Political situation
Since her independence, Niger has experienced repeated military coup d’etat and internal strifes.
Changes of administration by 3 military coup d’etat occurred. In 1999, the President backed by armyat that time was assassinated at the airport. And since the military confrontation in 1990, between thestate power and nomadic tribe Tuareg a number of revolts has been occurring, showing unstablesecurity situation in the country.
Since the inauguration of Presidency by Mamadou Tandja on January 2000, political stability has
been recovered, but on February 2007, anti-government party called Niger Justice Movement(Mouvement Nigérien pour la Justice: MNJ）started revolts in various parts of the country by
explosion of mine and attacks to uranium investigation facilities. In combat with state army in August
2008, many casualties were recorded. The Government has issued alert for northern area on August
2007 but since then combat remains to continue.
Revolt by MNJ this time was based on their belief that they were politically discriminated and theywanted the profit of uranium export to be returned to the northern area. As the northern area has No.2
large uranium deposits in the world, deterioration of security situation over there has serious
consequence to economic growth of the country. Again, in this area he dotted Sahara Desert is theworld famous tourist destination. Since revolts in this area rural inhabitants depending on the sale ofhandicraft have seriously hit by decrease of visitors.
4) Recent economic trend
Record low of GDP growth of 0.8% by minor drought in 2004 caused food crisis in the following
year. However, since then the climate has been moderate and agricultural production has been better off.

6

Together with the favorable situation of mining sector, GDP growth rate of 2005-2007 recorded
5.4%/year (Table1.5). On August 2007, the Government adopted Accelerated Development andPoverty Reduction Strategy : ADPRS in which average annual GDP growth rate was set for 2008-2011
at 5.7%, though World Bank forecasts it at 5.0%, taking note of the performance of 2007 at 3.2%
(World Bank2008).
As for foreign debt, taking the debt rescue measures of IMF’s expanded HIPCs Initiatives applied on
December 2000 as the opportunity, the Government has started action for debt issue. By obtaining loan
from Poverty Reduction/Growth Facility (PRGF), the Government has tackled economic reconstruction
through public finance and smooth implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy since 2002. Thishas been highly evaluated and thus in February 2004, Niger has achieved to reach Completion Point(CP) of HIPC’s. Based on this performance, most of the donors, both bilateral and multilateral, agreed
to give up the claim. In addition, through Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI), IMF, African
Development Bank and others gave up claims of $300 million in total. By these rescue measures,
foreign debt decreased in 2006 more than 60% from the previous year of $800 million. Based on thefavorable appraisal by IMF on the performance, additional PRGF has been provided in 2005 and 2008.
Further in 2008, USA agreed to extend credit of Millennium Challenge Account (MCA).
Quite recently, China has extended credit of $300million for oil factory (petroleum refinery). Since
2004, in the midst of soaring international price of mineral resources led by uranium, (gold, iron ore,copper, tin, lime, coal, phosphorous etc), investment from abroad are increasing, giving a positive
prospect to Niger’s economy.
Table I.5 Major macro economic indicators (2001 - 2007)
2001
2002
2003
GDP Annual growth rate (%)
7.1
3.0
4.4
GDP growth rate per capita (%)
*
1.9
-0.1
GNI per capita ($)
170
170
200
GNI PPP per capita ($)
530
530
570
Inflation rate (%)
4.0
3.0
-2.9
Debt overseas (Million $)1587.41786.52069.9Source: World Bank (2008), INS (2005, 2008) * lack of data

2004
-0.8
-4.1
220
570
0.6
1973.1

2005
7.4
3.9
250
600
6.8
1979.9

2006
5.2
1.5
270
630
1.8
805.0

2007
3.2
*
280
630
3.0
*

2. Target of Development and Status of Agriculture and Forestry
1) Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS)In 2000, Niger was approved as a country to be rescued by HIPC’s Initiatives.
By this, Niger could obtain PRGF’S loan from IMF but also was required to accept a number ofobligation as a precondition of this loan. One of these commitments is the formulation of the Poverty
Reduction Strategic Paper (PRSP). PRSP consists of policies and programs the Government intends toimplement on macro-economic, financial and social development issues, for the economic growth andpoverty reduction. It also includes necessity of loan from abroad. It took 2 years for the preparation of

7

PRSP and on January 2002, Poverty Reduction Strategy was officially announced.
In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of the U.N. adopted on September 2000,
PRS aims to reduce ratio of poverty to 50% by the year 2015 as a primary goal of the strategy,
including comprehensive issues such as stabilization of macro-economy, improved access to social
services and infrastructure, improved governance, economic development led by private sector,
capacity building etc. Basic principles of sector-wise strategies were also prepared in PRS and wide
ranges of strategic documents have been issued. (Table I.6)
2) Accelerated Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy (ADPRS)The Government of Niger prepared ADPRS, which was the 2nd Poverty Reduction Strategy, on
August 2007. This was submitted to the Donors’ Meeting at Brussels on October of that year andaccepted as the sole and common framework for the development assistance by donors. The ADPRS
document reviews the performances of PRS from 2002 to 2006 and indicates development goals andtargets for the following 5 years. In ADPRS review, such social development indicators as, decrease ininfant mortality, increased enrollment of primary school, improved access to safe drinking water were
well appreciated, and decentralization, improvement of governance and monitoring of thedevelopment policies by the establishment and operation of National Statistics Institute (INS) werenoted as the remarkable performance. However, review also pointed out that as economic growthhighly depended on unstable agriculture that was vulnerable to climatic conditions, actual economic
growth remained low and, in addition to such important sectors as education, health, drinking waterand energy, new development needs for transportation, information and communication were
emerging and thus delayed in achieving MDGs. As the contributing factors, insufficient economic
growth, population increase, lack of fund for infrastructure and others, inefficient program
implementation, lack of human resources and organizational capacity for the implementation of thedevelopment policies were raised. Further, such issues were also pointed that the opportunities for
consultation were limited after adoption of PRS among concerned parties, monitoring works wereconcentrated to the Government, participation of citizen in monitoring were limited, official
announcement of the results was not enough etc.
Based on the examination study, mid-term review was decided to be made by 5 years (2008-2012)
against 3 years of the previous one, so as to actively implement poverty reduction strategy on themedium and long term perspectives, and prepared Action Plan to be closely linked and coordinated to
the regional programs of MDGs and NEPAD. In the Action Plan, various indicators to be achieved in2012 were presented and to achieve these indicators, 7 strategic guidelines were reconstructed (TableI.6). On Agriculture/Rural Development, in 1.1 (Promotion of economic growth factors with highpotentials of job creation), it is elaborated in detail referring to Rural Development Strategy (SDR).
However, for the implementation of the Action Plan, as 72.1% of the required fund is expected todepend on foreign resources, assistance from overseas seems to be the key for realization of the plan.

8

Table I.6

Comparison of the framework of PRS andPoverty Reduction Strategy (PRS)
Overall goal
Reduce poverty ratio to 50% by 2015
Specific goals and strategic guideline
1. Ensure steady and sustainable growth
1.1. Set out a stable macro-economic framework
1.2. Ensuring sustainable growth in rural
production
1.3. Taking maximum advantage of opportunities
offered by the regional integration.
1.4. Improving public finance management policy
1.5. Private sector promotion
2. Developing the productive sectors
2.1. Rural sector and food security
2.2. Infrastructures, mines and energy
2.3. Private sector, tourism and handicraft
3. Ensure access to basic social services by thepoors
3.1. Education
3.2. Water and Sanitation1)
3.3. Health HIV/ Aids
3.4. Access to safe water and sanitation
3.5. Urban development
4. Improve governance and strengthening humanand institutional capacity
4.1. Improving governance4.2. Transparency and corruption control
4.3. Strengthening human and institutional
capacity
4.4. Developing Information and communication
technology

ADPRS

Accelerated Development and Poverty Reduction
Strategy（ADPRS）
Overall goal
Reduce poverty ratio to 50% by 2015
Strategic goals
1. Explore dynamic, diversified, sustainable andemployment-created growth
1.1. Promote economic growth with high potentials
and creating job opportunity
1.2. Promote development on local basis
1.3. Strengthen macro economic framework
1.4. Strengthen global competitiveness of Nigerien
economy1.5. Participate in regional and global markets
1.6. Promote art and culture
2. Equitable access to Social services with highquality
2.1. Promote education and vocational- technicaltraining
2.2. health improvement
2.3. Reduce undernourishment
2.4. Improve access to drinking water
2.5. Urban and Habitat development and sewage
treatment
2.6. Improve access to modern energy services
2.7. Promote regular employment and income
generation activities
3. Control population growth
3.1. Reproductive health, family planning・
3.2. Countermeasures to early marriage and every
possible female discrimination
3.3. Make customary of breast feeding for the healthof mother and baby
3.4. Enlighten opinion leaders and communities on
improving measures related to child delivery
4. Reduce inequality and strengthen social protection
to vulnerable groups
4.1. Ensure gender equality
4.2. Ensure Child Protection
4.3. Support healthy growth of the youth
4.4. Develop social protection to deprived groups
4.5. Forecast the risk of natural disasters
5. Development of infrastructure
5.1. Transportation
5.2. Information communication technology
5.3. Increase energy supply
5.4. reinforce public heritage
6. Promotion governance of high quality
6.1. Strengthen political governance6.2. Enhance the rule of law and judiciary reform
6.3. Strengthen administrative governance6.4. Improve economic governance6.5. Strengthen local governance6.6. Social participation
7. Effective Implementation of the ADPRS
7.1. Improve formulation of public policy
7.2. Augmented and Effective Allocation in line withthe priority set by ADPRS
7.3. Provide high quality services to the poor

9

7.4. Establish monitoring/ evaluation system byrewarding rules.
7.5. Strengthen manpower, facility and organizational
structure
7.6. Risk management and forecast
Note1) Duplication is observed with Strategy "3.4." but followed original text.
Source: Secrétariat Permanent de la SRP 2002 and 2007.

3) Rural Development Strategy（SDR）and problems to be tackled
The preparatory work of Rural Development Strategy (SDR) had started on December 2001, just inadvance to the adoption of Poverty Reduction Strategy (SDR) with participatory manner by various
actors involved in rural development, such as the Government, donors, producers’ organizations,
NGOs and others with their active discussions. Through these discussions and works, SDR was
officially adopted on December 2003 by the Government.
The SDR defines outline of the strategy, general goals, strategic principles, expected results, andadds 14 sectorial programs led from the consideration on rising problems and their courses of solution.
(Fig I.4)
Overall targets are shown in the form of required indicators to achieve the goals of Poverty
Reduction Strategy. To achieve this, 3 specific targets are set in the form of 3 strategic principles.
These principles are ①Improved access of rural inhabitants to economic activities ②Food security
and conservation of environment, and ③Capacity building and strengthening organizations of rural
inhabitants and extension workers. Led from these are 10 structural programs and4 priority sectors, allof them are introduced from either currently operational or at planning stage of the projects withsupport from donors. Therefore, future projects to be implemented by the Government and /or donors
need to follow automatically this program.
After adoption of SDR, preparation of Action Plan for each program started in 2004 as a 3rd stage ofplanning operation. Planning operation of the draft Action Plan consists roughly of two parts, one forlogical frame and another on collection and analysis of project information (including assessment ofbudget requirement for projects from now on) for Middle Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF). In
2006, Action Plan and MTEF were approved in advance, but until the end of 2007, this Action Plan
was not yet operational.
ADPRS succeeded PRS, also emphasizing rural development as an engine for economic growth andspecifically elaborated SDR. From now on, it seems to be a challenge that how these 14 sectorial
programs (23 if sub-programs are included) will actually be implemented with the leading role of theGovernment.

10Overall Goals
To reduce poverty ratio from the current 66% to 52% by 2015, through establishment of the situation forsustainable socio-economic development, ensuring food security of the people and sustainable
management of natural resources.

Strategy I

Strategy II

Strategy III

Enhance access of community
to economic opportunity forestablishing the situation forsustainable economic
development of the community

Forecast risks, improve foodsecurity and conduct sustainable
management of natural
resources, to ensure security ofdaily life of the people

Strengthen the capacity of
public and rural organizations,for the improvement ofmanagement system of the ruraldevelopment sector(Specific goals)
・ increase agricultural
production
・ increase value of agricultural
products
・ diversify income sources offarm household(Specific goals)
・ reduce unstable food supply
which hinders access to foodof farm household
・ improve the quality andhygiene of food for farmhousehold・ create the situation forsustainable management of
natural resources(Specific goals)
・ strengthen capacity of rural
actors・ improve the management ofrural sector

Structure programs

Priority sectoral programs⑪ Food security through irrigation development⑫ Pastureland development and stabilization ofgrazing system⑬ Land restoration and reforestation⑭ Kandadji : regeneration of ecosystems anddevelopment of the Niger river valley① Local and community development② Management of natural resources byregion③ Organizing of professional groups andestablishment of marketing system④ Rural infrastructure⑤ Rural financial system⑥ Research, human resources and extension⑦ Strengthen public system in community
sector⑧ Safe water and sanitation⑨ Decrease fragility of the household⑩ Environmental protection

Fig. I.4 Framework of SDR

11

CHAPTER II. TREND OF AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRYDEVELOPMENT
1. Current Situation of Agricultural Production
1) Agricultural system
According to [Rural Development Strategy, Nov.2003], issued by the Bureau of Poverty
Reduction Strategy of the Prime Minister’s Office, agricultural system of Niger is classified into
5 types further subdivided into 11 categories.

Pastoral system (winter and permanent)
Transitional system of pastoral and farming
Valley system (river basin)
Valley system (Dallols)
Valley system (Doutchi etc.)
Valley system (Goulbis)
Eastern plain system
Sand dune system
Eastern plateau system
Oasis production system
Nature reseregionConsolidated irrigation system

Sahara zone
Sahel/ Sahara zone
Sahara zone
Sahel/ Sudan zone

Source: SDR 2003

Fig. II.1

Distribution of Agricultural System(1) Northern Pastoral System
This system covers the whole areas of Sahara zone (rainfall less than 150mm/year) with 77%
and Sahel-Sahara zone (Rainfall 150mm-350mm/year) with 12% share of total national landarea, located in the northern part of the country. All of the Agadez region, most of the Diffa
region, northern halves of Tahoua and Zinder regions, Northern part of Maradi region andNorthern border of Tillaberi region are included in this system.
Basically limited in supply of grass for feed, nomadic activities of goats and camels are the12dominant feature of this system. Though this vast extending area has potentials for nomadism,
severe natural condition and lack of water resources hinder the development of productive
nomadic system.
(2) Transitional system from pastoral to sedentary farming
Located in the southern part of Sahel / Sahara zone, it had been nomadic area originally. In
spite of the law enacted in 1961 to prohibit crop cultivation in areas of rainfall less than 350
mm/year, pasture land has been turned to farmland; due to increasing population. This area isvulnerable to the climate change and in addition to low productivity, has been exposed to themenace of desertification. The area of this transitional system is an important for nomadic
system as a most appropriate from the viewpoint of land use. There may exist possibility to
avoid friction with farmers in the south if the intensive livestock farming system is developed inthis area.
(3)

Rain-fed agricultural system① Sand dune system
Annual rainfall exceeds 400mm, but sand dunes extend widely, from the northern part of theregions of Tillaberi and Dosso to the central part of Tahoua and south western part of Diffa.
Nomads are limited here, as single crop of pearl millet production and intensive livestock
production are popular. However, cereal production does not meet local requirement. In parallel
to population increase, soil fertility is deteriorating as fallowing period is being shortened,
progressing wind erosion and ponds and basins are being buried by sands.
② Eastern plain system
The system is located in the Eastern part of Sahel zone (rainfall 350-600mm, 10% of the total
land area) connecting cross-wise to the south of Maradi and Zinder regions. Semi-intensive
farming/ livestock system is common, with growing Acacia albida (Faidherbia albida) for
agro-sylvo-pastoral system and provide more than half of cereals in the country. Thoughintensification of farming and shortened fallow period are going on, mixed farming of cereals
with cowpea and ploughing by animal are widely observed. Fattening of cattle and sheep arewidely practiced.
③

Western plateau system
This system covers the area of southern part of Tillaberi region and most of the Dosso region,

where spotted bush and tiger bush are widely distributed, in the Sahel- Sudanese Climatic zone
(rainfall 600mm to 800mm, 1.0％ of total land area).

13

Utilization of natural forest to livestock are fairly preceding compared to other area. In
lowland Dallol valley (fossil valley), Ronier palm and Doum palm have been introduced whilein the higher part of the plateau, fuel trees are being introduced. In areas surrounding forest,agro-sylvo-pastoral system is adopted, combining crop growing with cattle raising in the forest.
Further, in the basin with available water, growing of vegetable in dry season are expanding.
In this area, in addition to the issue such as increasing number of farmers and herders andtheir land title, problem is arising on the ways for harmonious development and utilization ofnational forest resources by sedentary livestock farmers who have been living for several
generations.
(4)

Oasis and irrigated farming system① Valley system
This system is semi-intensive farming one of growing vegetable in dry season using
irrigation. This system is applied in various part of the country, particularly in Dallol (fossil
valley), Goulubis, Maggia and Tarka of the Maradi region and Zinder region, clearly
differentiating from consolidated irrigation system in the basin of Niger river and flood plain of
Komadougou river which will be mentioned later. Production includes wide range of crops,
such cereals as wheat and maize, root crops as cassava, potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetables
and fruits. Small scale motor-driven water pumps are used. Improved technology is relatively
well defused. Rather than domestic consumption, production is more oriented to the market,
including export for cash income. Double cropping might be heavy burden to soil fertility, but it
seems attractive for farmers from the point of profitability. In addition to the problem of
ensuring stable water resources, preservation of product, particularly of onion, is the important
issue. Though this farming system is of the highest productivity in Niger, it is difficult to
expand this nationwide due to the limited water resources.
② Oasis production system
This system is adopted at oases in Agadez region and Maine-Soroa district of Diffa region.
Crops grown are very diverse, including cereals, vegetable, fruits and fodder crops. Crops andlivestock (sheep and goat) are well combined and camels are widely used to pump up the well
water.
Oases are relatively immune to climatic change and to unstable rainfall. Food security of thehousehold is ensured through stable crop production. Oases are also the supply sources of highquality food crops and livestock products.

14

Consolidated irrigation system③

In the past, this system had been introduced in various part of the country. However,practically it is now operational only for rice growing in Niger river basin. In other part of thecountry, more diversified crops such as sorghum, wheat, vegetable, cotton etc., were grown.
Though they had potential for intensive and stable production, problems on operation andmaintenance of antiquated facility and equipment and marketing of the products hindered thesustainability of the system.
(5)

Other system① Suburban system
In response to the increasing urban population (annual population growth rate ’90: 5.3%,
2001: 13%, 2020: 30% estimate) demand for food is rapidly increasing. Food import (rice, palmoil, sugar, dairy products, wheat flour etc.) of Niger accounted for 47% of the total import or
226.5 billion FCFA of the total import of 56.5 billion FCFA (source: DSCN 2000). Major partof these import are consumed by urban dwellers. Responding to the growing demand of urban
dwellers, production of cow milk, horse, vegetable and fruits are gaining momentum together
with cereal crops in suburban system. Proximity to urban area is an advantage in transportationof cash crops and this encourages intensive cultivation. On the other hand, expanding urban area
is increasing pressure on farmland.
② Nature Reserve
Niger has relatively abundant wild flora and fauna in West Africa. There exists many
sanctuaries covering more than 80,000km2 in total. Particularly in "W" National Park locatedfrom southern part of Niamey to the border with Benin and Burkina Faso and Air-Tenere
Reserve of mountain-desert area of Agadez region have unique flora and fauna and are called
for rational and comprehensive development including eco-tourism by local inhabitants.
Due to successive unstable rainfall and drought, isohyetal line in Niger is said to have shifted
80-100km southward compared to that of 60’. In addition to the constraints of both natural andman-made, population pressure is increasing. Under the circumstance, in what way agriculture
will be developed? In the following chapter, a number of typical cases will be introduced.
2) Types of agriculture and current situation of production(1)

Rain-fed agriculture

Rain-fed agriculture in Niger is classified by their location into Sand Dune system, Eastern
Plain System and Western Plateau System. However, basically Eastern Plain is the mostfavorable and suitable area for cultivation from the viewpoints of rainfall, topography and soil.

15

Historically, in parallel to the increase in population, cultivated area has been expanded
gradually to the sand dune area in the north and forest on the plateau in the west. Crops grownin these areas will be observed.
① Pearl millet and sorghum
Rain-fed farming (growing such cereals as pearl millet, sorghum, maize etc., beans such as
cowpea and ground nut) without any type of irrigation is the dominant feature of farming in
Niger.
Statistics of millet and sorghum’s combined production from 1980’ until 2001 prepared by
WFP shows that cultivated area for 5 year average of ’80-84 was 4,099,952ha, and it increased
to 7,764,696ha for 5 years average of ’00-04, being 1.89 times to the former. Increase in plantedarea during the past 20 years was 3,664,744ha, with yearly increase at 183,237ha.
As for production, from 5 year average of ’80-’84, at 1,535,70t, it increased to 2,889,775t
for ’00-’04 average, with yearly increase by 67,700t.
Planted area/capita and production/capita show no significant changes, as the planted areaand production/capita in 5 year average of ’80-’84 was at 0.7ha and 260kg respectively, while
corresponding figures for ’00-’04 were 0.7ha and 254 kg respectively.
Similarly, from the aggregated figures of planted area and production of pearl millet andsorghum, yield in ’80-’84 was 374kg/ha and 372kg/ha in ’00-’04, with no significant change.
Some reports, (for example, Report on sector-wise diagnosis on environment anddesertification, Sept. 2005: MHELCD) describes that "In the past 15 years, yields of pearl millet
and sorghum have declined. Pearl millet 406kg/ha 388kg/ha and sorghum 319kg/ha
206kg/ha. This means that increase in production is the result of increased planted area".
However, WFP statistics shows no change in yields of pearl millet and sorghum. More
important problem would be that, as many documents describe, for many centuries, not only for
20 years, traditional farming practices have been adopted without change, and this might havecaused stagnated yield of pearl millet and sorghum. However there exists fact partly undeniable
on yields in the description of the above mentioned (Report on sector-wise diagnosis onenvironment and desertification, Sept. 2005: MHELCD).

16

Table II.1 Pearl millet and sorghum (planted area, production and per capita index)
Pearl millet and Sorghum
Planted area(ha) Production(t) Area/capita (ha) Production /capita (kg)1980
5,578,000
3,840,490
1,730,780
0.7
310
1981
5,763,000
4,070,568
1,635,492
0.7
284
1982
5,954,000
4,218,384
1,651,279
0.7
277
1983
6,151,000
4,242,140
1,653,760
0.7
269
1984
6,355,000
4,128,179
1,007,538
0.6
159
Av.(80-84)
4,099,952
1,535,770
0.7
260
1985
6,565,000
4,310,931
1,774,113
0.7
270
1986
6,783,000
4,348,597
1,743,559
0.6
257
1987
7,008,000
4,359,029
1,362,777
0.6
194
1988
7,240,000
4,995,768
2,326,505
0.7
321
1989
7,480,000
5,094,042
1,754,605
0.7
235
Av.(85-89)
4,621,673
1,792,312
0.7
256
1990
7,728,000
6,942,899
2,045,960
0.9
265
1991
7,967,568
6,456,77
2,314,991
0.8
291
1992
8,214,563
7,519,314
2,171,693
0.9
264
1993
8,469,214
6,099,128
1,714,310
0.7
202
1994
8,731,760
6,950,251
2,368,538
0.8
271
Av.(90-94)
6,793,673
2,123,098
0.8
259
1995
9,002,444
7,164,356
2,034,983
0.8
226
1996
9,286,395
7,138,358
2,172,213
0.8
234
1997
9,574,274
6,386,922
1,641,530
0.7
171
1998
9,871,071
7,607,398
2,894,013
0.8
293
1999
10,177,080
7,449,871
2,772,346
0.7
272
Av.(95-99)
7,149,381
2,303,017
0.7
239
2000
10,492,569
7,306,951
2,049,890
0.7
195
2001
11,060,261
7,835,456
3,022,350
0.7
273
2002
11,403,160
7,816,590
3,236,927
0.7
284
2003
11,756,658
8,041,222
3,502,464
0.7
298
2004
12,121,114
7,823,260
2,637,242
0.6
218
Av. (00-04
7,764,696
2,889,775
0.7
254
Av.(80-04)
6,085,875
2,128,794
0.72
253
Source: Collection and analysis of secondary data.
Rapport d’analyse de la sécurité alimentaire et de la vulnérabilité au Niger, PAM, juillet 2005
Year

Population

Traditional rain-fed agriculture has been the culmination of ingenious wisdom of the farmers.
Farmland of declined fertility by crop growing is put to fallow for several years, or 10 years,
waiting for the recovery of soil fertility. Cycle of land use system includes fallow period.
However, this system is now facing serious difficulty. Increased pressure on farmland due topopulation increase does not allow appropriate management of cycle of land use practiced in thepast.
As virgin land with high soil fertility is no more available, shortening of fallow period
proceeds and finally fallow period will be suspended. Therefore, yield decline could not be
avoidable in the land of degraded soil fertility.
Separate method of analysis for pearl millet and sorghum, other than WFP Statistics will
clarify the above. [Trend of planted area, production and yields of major crops. 1980-2001]17

Direction de l’Agriculture/MDA, which seems to be the basic data for the above mentioned
Report on sector-wise diagnosis on environment and desertification, Sept. 2005: MHELCD
describes that, average yield in 5 years of ’80-84 was 391.8kg/ha for pearl millet and322.2kg/ha for sorghum. Corresponding figures in 5 years of’97-’01 were 393.5kg/ha and209.6kg/ha. While yield of pearl millet remained unchanged, sorghum showed sharp yield
decline of 112.6kg/ha, or 65% during this 17years.
Aggregated yield of pearl millet and sorghum make the situation of respective yield obscureby the difference of ratio of planted area of each crop. Meager increase in millet production
compensates substantive decline of sorghum production.
Table II.2
Year
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
Av.(80-84)

Trend of planted area, production and yield of pearl millet and sorghum
Planted area(ha)3,072,420
3,088,248
3,083,804
3,135,550
3,029,730
3,081,950

Pearl millet
Production(kg)
1,362,785
1,313,842
1,292,548
1,298,345
771,040
1,207,712

1997
4,503,635
1,351,868
1998
5,366,055
2,391,282
1999
5,351,203
2,296,227
2000
5,151,395
1,679,174
2001
5,231,937
2,358,741
Av.(97-01)
5,120,845
2,015,458
Source: Direction de l’Agriculture/MDA

Yield(kg/ha)
444
425
419
414
254
391.8

Plantedarea (ha)768,070
982,320
1,134,580
1,106,590
1,098,449
1,018,002

Sorghum
Production(kg)
367,995
321,650
358,731355,415
236,498
328,058

Yield(kg/ha)
479
327
316
321
215
322.2

300
446
429
326
451
393.5

1,883,287
2,241,343
2,098,668
2,155,556
2,603,519
2,196,475

289,662502,731
476,119
370,716
663,609460,567

154
224
227
172
255
209.6

Sorghum requires more water than pearl millet and mostly grown at flood plain and areas
with better access to water in southern border with Sudan. In contrast, pearl millet can be growneven in the area of rainfall less than 300mm/year, with high adaptability to dry land.
Decline of sorghum yield could be attributed not only to the effect of climatic change but also
to the difficulty to find the virgin land, and decreasing fallow period in the Eastern plain area.
More than 90 % of the total population live in this area.
In case of pearl millet, production started by the small population in the northern part withscarce rainfall, originally under nomadic system, and could gradually extend to the westernplateau forest of favorable rain fall. Traditional land use cycle by fallow system could have been
continued and thus they could avoid degradation of soil fertility and yield decline.
However, population increases rapidly. Total arable land of Niger is said to be at 1.5 million
ha, around 12% of the total national land area. Cultivated area in 2003 has already surpassed 0.8
million ha and in 2006 it’s getting near to 0.9 million ha. If the fallow lands are taken into

18

consideration, it seems that the expansion of farmland has already reached to the northern limit
without any more virgin land for cultivation. Land in the northern part with scarce rainfall
requires long period for the recovery of soil fertility. Furthermore, in addition to soil erosion,
wind erosion, soil degradation and sand dune movement, irregular rainfall and outbreak ofdesert locust are the serious threat expected at least every 3 years. In future, possibility of losing
fallow period will high.
Problems surrounding sorghum production in the south will be occurring to pearl millet innear future if the current situation remains to continue.

19

Table II.3

Year

Trend of planted area, production and yields of cowpea, maize, groundnuts(1982-2001)
CowpeaMaize

Groundnut

1982

Area
ha
1,427,948

Production
ton
281,744

Yield
kg/ha
197

Area
ha
12,545

Production
ton
7,280

Yield
kg/ha
580

Area
ha
190,385

Production
ton
87,484

Yield
kg/ha
460

1983
1984

1,608,525
1,512,739

271,349
194,843

169
129

10,515
10,700

6,690
7,055

636
659

167,560
142,600

74,97030,800

447
216

1985
1986

1,566,199
1,590,541

115,332
292,935

74
184

7,200
9,400

3,400
6,100

472
649

29,700118,200

8,400
54,500283
461

Av.(82-86)
1987

1,541,190
1,790,809

231,241
208,768150.6
117

10,072
14,019

6,105
7,778

599.2
555

129,689
158,244

51,23140,427

373.4
255

1988
1989

1,925,194
2,209,460

301,549
320,496

157
145

9,560
3,035

4,947
1,977

517
651

78,25659,51812,921
25,522

165
429

1990
1991

2,662,503
2,866,153

223,543
381,207

84
133

5,600
1,255

1,759
946

314
754

62,766
103,533

17,53339,664279
383

Av.(87-91)
1992

2,290,824
3,898,409

287,113402,319

127.2
103

6,694
2,276

3,481
974

558.2
428

93,463
175,180

27,213
57,100

302.2
326

1993
1994

3,357,718
2,966,418

162,823
382,578

48
129

499
2,407

73
1,752

146
728

84,702
151,036

20,152
67,433

238
446

1995
1996

3,439,112
3,041,227

184,062295,243

54
97

1,582
2,302

1,293
376

817
163

269,294
416,055

111,092
195,970

413
471

Av.(92-96)
1997

3,340,577
3,295,570

285,405
192,453

86.2
58

1,813
2,583

894
3,000

456.4
1161

219,253
232,50290,34987,873

378.8
378

1998
1999

3,720,167
3,793,793

774,630
420,671

208
111

5,378
nd

5,130
nd

954
nd

229,719
250,101

112,136
103,733

488
415

2000
2001

3,846,277
3,512,464

262,657
509,469

68
145

6,149
8,901

3,920
2,325

638
261

360,338
192,321113,216
82,006

314
426

Av.(97-01)

3,633,654

431,976

118.0

5,753

3,594

753.5

252,996

99,793404.2

Source: Direction de l'Agriculture/MDA

nd : no data

20

J-64

② Cowpea
Cowpea is usually planted with major cereal crops such as pearl millet, sorghum, maize etc.,
using spaces between these crops. Therefore, in parallel to the increase in cereal planting,cowpea’s planting area and production have been increasing year by year. Cowpea is the 3rd
important crop following pearl millet and sorghum, and important cash crop such as onion. Ashigh value cash crop, it is priced at 600,000-900,000 FCFA/t. About 80-90% of total production
are exported and export value stands at 3rd following onion and livestock. Strong demand from
Nigerian and other existing markets influence cowpea production both positively andnegatively.
Niger and Nigeria have been the major cowpea producers in the world, but in recent years,
Burkina Faso is increasing cowpea production. In general, many neighboring countries
bordering with Niger are seeking the way for technical improvement by concentratingproduction to one specific variety. But in Niger, this sort of effort has not been taken. Judging
from the statistical information, it is apparent that both planted area and yield are increasing.
(Planted area of cowpea increased from1,566,200ha in 1985 to 4,000,000ha in 2003).
Planted area：million ha
Yield：100kg/ha
Production： million t

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007: 17

Fig. II.2

Trend of planted area, yield production of cowpea

Yield of cowpea fluctuates year by year, caused by rainfall and insect damages. According to21

official report, production in 1985 was 115,000t while that in 2000 was 500,000t, perhaps
depending mainly on expansion of planted area rather than yield increase.
Average annual harvested volume for home consumption and sales is estimated at 340,000t.
As the domestic consumption is estimated at 80,000t (7.82kg/capita/year), around 260,000t(70%) are considered to have been exported.
Nigeria’s demand for cowpea is the highest and her annual demand of cowpea is estimated at
2,400,000t. Domestic production cannot suffice the demand. Therefore, Nigeria needs to import
300,000-500,000t of cowpea every year from abroad. At the moment Nigeria is the biggest
importer of Niger’s cowpea, with the share of 70-80% of Niger’s total export.

ZinderZinderTillaberi

Tillaberi

TahouaTahouaMaradiMaradi

Dosso

Dosso

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007: 18

Fig. II.3. Trend of planted area and production of cowpea in each region 1995-2003
Production of cowpea in Niger is concentrated in 5 major agricultural regions, among which
Zinder is the top producer with the share of 30%, followed by Maradi. In Zinder, 40% of thetotal production are from 30% of the total planted area, while in case of Maradi, 30% of the
production come from 20% of the planted area.

In other regions cowpea production is

negligible.
Cowpea is also an important crop for food security. If the surplus is sold by the average priceof 2001-2003 (178FCFA/kg), it will be able to purchase necessary food for 1.5 million people.
③ Maize
Maize is not planted widely in Niger. Its yield fluctuates widely by the years and is seen as amost unstable crop. However, it is reported that maize is also produced in oases and is an
important income source of oasis farmers with such crops as cassava and date (Etude filieres
agricoles et forestieres/PAGRN).
Average yearly import of maize for 1999-2004 was 37,146t, of which 20% or 7,256t werefrom Benin and 44% or 16,480t were from Burkina Faso, Mali and others. Domestic production
was less than 10% of the total import.
④ Groundnut
Groundnut has maintained its importance as an export crop since independence in Niger.

22

Production had been maintained at the level of 250,000t, but in ‘90s it decreased to
17,000t.Severe draught in 1972-74 might have caused decrease in planted area together with thedegradation of soil fertility. However, import of both groundnut and peanut butter from Nigeria
might have been one of the contributing factors to the decrease in groundnut production. Since
1995 production had been recovering to the level of 100,000t, and sharp increase in production
started in 2001 and it reached to 200,00t in 2003. Increased production depended on expanded
area planted, though yield has been declining.
Planted area：million ha
Yield：t/ha
Production：million t

Production
2003
Consumption
2003

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov Dec

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007:12

Fig. II.4 Planted area, yield and production of groundnut (1995-2003)
Producer’s and consumer’s price movement in 2003
Major producing areas are Maradi and Zinder regions. In the past 2 years (2005-06),
production in Tahoua region is also increasing. Ridging for seeding and use of donkey forploughing are rather fresh scenery in Niger where farming operation depended traditionally on
manual labor. Market price of groundnut is not stable. Usually merchant buy groundnut fromfarmers in September-October, just after harvest, and reserve them around 6 months waiting forhighest price.
After the collapse of SONARA (Corporation for groundnut), official control of groundnut

23

marketing became difficult and now big traders play the leading role in the market. In the courseof this development, farmers are forced to face with lower price and income.

ZinderZinderTillaberi

Tillaberi

TahouaTahouaMaradiMaradi

Dosso

Dosso

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007:13

Fig. II.5

Distribution of planted area and production of ground nut by regions
Left: planted area, Right: production

Groundnut has the share of 2% of the total agricultural export. For domestic consumption arehome use such as peanut oil and others, followed by animal feed. Peanut oils traditionally madeby rural women in groundnut producing area as a way for cash earning. Industrial production ismonopolized by Olga Co. Ltd., with capacity of45,000t at material basis without husk. In 2002,
the company produced 5,000t of peanut oil and 1,500t were exported, of which 90% to Nigeria.
⑤ Tiger nut
Tiger nut is one of the rainy season crops with high market value. Mostly used for biscuit andbeer brewery, particularly for beverage production. Domestic consumption is relatively limited.
Almost 75% are exported to Nigeria. Then, through the hand of traders, it is exported further toSpain, the biggest buyer of tiger nut. In Spain, tiger nut is called as Chufa, and used as thematerial of drink called archada. Market of tiger nut in Spain is limited to Valencia and its
neighboring area.
Production of tiger nut in Niger concentrates in Maradi and Zinder regions with the share ofplanted area 60% and 31%, and of production 65% and 37% respectively.

24

Planted area：haYield：kg/ha
Production：t

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007:27

Fig. II.6

Trend of Tiger nut: planted area, yield and production 1997-03

Production increased since 2002, mainly due to the increased planted area in Maradi region
and initiation of production in Zinder region. In contrast to the expansion of planted area, yieldis decreasing. Tiger nut is grown by intensive farming system using traditional varieties (bothwith fat and slim roots). Organic and mineral fertilizers are applied using machinery. Tiger nut
is harvested after all crops and sold quickly. For a short period these are stored either attraditional warehouses or modern ones owned by middlemen. By devising method of storage,
post harvest losses are reduced. Even if farmers are talented in tiger nut growing, they cannot
afford to be idle, as it is the fundamental to prevent the negative impact on the land after harvest.
As topsoil start to be eroded just after harvest, careful management technology to prevent soil
degradation is required.

25

Production
2003
Consumption
2003

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov Dec

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007:28

Fig. II.7 Change of producers’ and consumers’ prices of tiger nut in 2003
Tiger nut plays an important role as a cash crop. Producers’ price at 123FCFA/kg in
2002-2003 seems to be fairly high compared to the price level of self sustaining crops. By thesale of tiger nut, necessary self-sustaining crops for 85,000 persons will be secured. Due to thelimited information and data on tiger nut (statistics, trade and international demand) there exist
difficulties to formulate appropriate strategy for tiger nut production within the frame work of
agricultural production. Inventory of stock and tracing price movement by marketing research,
together with appropriate analysis of competitive power of Niger needs to be implemented. In
current administration, there exists no department or division responsible to this subject.
As Maradi is the major producing area, it is advantageous for marketing and storage and,taking into account high demand in Europe, potential of tiger nut as a cash crop is considered
fairly high. Profitability for both producers and exporters is high but investment to increase
competitive power is required.
⑥ Bambara groundnut
Bambara groundnut is also a traditional crop in Niger. Seeds are eaten, boiled together withhusk in case of fresh, or roasted. Leaves are used as feed for livestock.
In many cases, Bambara groundnut are produced in areas where groundnut growing isdifficult. Its growth period is 3-5 months and in Niger it is grown in areas of rainfall at
26

450-600mm. Better growth can be expected even in area of poor soil fertility and sandy soil.
Except harvesting season, excessive soil moisture does not harm its growth. High temperature
and a lot of sunshine are suitable. It is grown in direct sowing as single crop. Earth should be
dug well so as to get many flowers. Usually sown relatively densely with interval of
15cm-20cm, by roots number/ha at 450,000-250,000.
Sown at the beginning of rainy season, germination start in 8-9 days. Weeding is desirable.
Harvest has wide ranges from 250kg/ha to700kg/ha and there exist potential of 1,500kg/ha
Weight of seeds (1000 grains) are 600g-800g and ratio of germination are 60-80%. It isrelatively tough plant and suitable for reservation. Oil content is not so high as groundnut but
contains high nutrition of nitrogen and protein. It contains 365 cal/100g and 23% of protein.
In Niger, Middle Eastern part and Dosso, Maradi and Zinder regions are the major producing
areas, followed by Tillaberi and others with small amount.
⑦ SesameThough sesame is grown under rain-fed condition, more than 500mm/year rainfall is said tobe required for high yield. In Niger, sesame is consumed either taken raw uncooked, roasted, or
baked with sugar like cakes. Additionally, it is used as seasoning of sauces. In many other partof the world, sesame is used in making cakes, sesame oil, cosmetics and medicine. Due to thediverse uses, sesame production plays an important role, particularly for poor farmers, providing
cash income and contributing to their food security.

27Planted area：million ha
Yield：kg/ha
Production：10 thousand t

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007: 24

Fig. II.8 Planted area, yield and production of Sesame in Niger 1995-2003
Statistics on sesame production in Niger are limited. In 1997, production dropped from28,000t to 7,700t. Planted area also decreased to 75%. Since then planted area did not showmuch change, but yield has shown increase. Judging from this, Niger is considered to have thepotential to increase sesame production. Following two systems might be pointed out on sesame
production in Niger.
・About 9-17% of farmland are devoted to sesame of single crop. Mainly depend on thewomen farmers. Yield is around 500kg/ha.
・Of the total cultivated area, about 75% are planted with sesame and cereals by mixed
planting. In this case yield of sesame is less than 200kg/ha.

ZinderZinderTillaberi

Tillaberi

TahouaTahouaMaradiMaradi

Dosso

Dosso

Source: Pini & Tarchiani 2007: 25

Planted area (left) and production (right)
Fig. II.9

Share of planted area and production of sesame by region1995-2003
28

Sesame is known as a crop to give no serious strain to soil. In Niger, Maradi and Zinder
regions have been well known as major producing areas. In recent years, production in Tillaberi
region is also increasing and in 2003, making it 2nd major producing region.
⑧ Garlic, tomato and cabbage
As important vegetable crops other than onion and pepper, such crops as garlic, tomato andcabbage will be raised. Onion is an export commodity and tomato is, in addition to domestic
consumption, import commodity for urban dwellers. Demand for cabbage is very highthroughout the year. In general, vegetables including these crops are suited to the dry and hot/
day and cool/ night climate conditions of Niger. High quality vegetable for consumers can beassured.
Statistical information on these vegetables is also limited, so it is difficult to know their trendof production and potentials. From 2003, Agricultural Market Information System (Systèmed’Information sur les Marchés Agricoles: SIMA) started to collect information on retail pricesof these vegetables in various markets in the country.
Garlic has been produced originally in Agadez region as an intensive single crop. In
1998-2002, about 8 million ha had been planted with average annual production of 9,000 t.
Cooperatives of producers are organized and most of the produce has been exported to
Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana and other Southern countries. Mauritania is particularly
important destination (av.755t/year).
Table II.4 Production and price of garlic at Agadez region (UCMA)
Year
2001
2002
2003

Production (t)
35.3
44
67.4

Price (FCFA)
15,00014,20030,300

Table above is quoted from the data from (l’Union des Coopératives Maraîchères l’Air:
UCMA). By sales profit of garlic shipment of UCMA, self-sustaining food demand of 1,000
persons can be satisfied. Therefore, from the view point of food security, garlic is an important
crop. On continuing garlic production, advantages in two aspects are recognized. First one isthat the existing domestic market has marketing capacity exceeding the volume of current
export. Second is that it is easy to preserve. Priority issues to producing area are now toconstruct preservation facilities and expanding marketing channels.
Tomatoes and cabbages are produced in dry season mainly in outskirts of the cities. Niamey,
suburbs of cities at Niger river basin, oases in the northern part and others are the major
producers. In 2003, total production of tomatoes and cabbage in Ader, Doutchi and Maggia was
about 21,000t-26,500t and sales amounted to 16 billion FCFA (200FCFA/kg for tomato and140FCFA /kg for cabbage). This amount can secure food for 245,000 people for a year.
Vegetables are perishable and require to be sold quickly. Producers are not well organized29and productivity is not high enough. To overcome these problems of low productivity andperishability, it seems essential for farmers to create the opportunity to increase the access toagricultural credit. However, this possibility is very much limited. Land issue is additional
problem to be considered. Though constant access to land is necessary for vegetable growers,
usually they borrow the land in dry season where cereal is grown in rainy season. Therefore,
vegetable growers cannot start preparation for vegetable planting until cereal harvest arecompleted. This situation greatly hinders expansion of vegetable growing.
Currently, vegetable production is very limited except those of cooperatives in Air district.
(2)

Oases and irrigated agriculture

Oasis and irrigated agriculture will basically be classified into 3, oases and valley systems
depending on spring water or underground water, and irrigation system with large scale landconsolidation as seen at Niger river basin and others.
Different from the large scale consolidated irrigation, mainly devoted to rice growing, in oasis
and valley systems various crops are grown for both domestic market and export to neighboring
countries.
In Galmi district of Tahoua region, onions are widely grown in dry season by large or small
plot with efficient irrigation management. This accounted about 58% of total agricultural exportof Niger, demonstrating the role played by valley system on cash crop production.
Table II.5 Production of cash crops 2002−2005
Production (t)Year

Cowpea2002
654,232
2003
549,035
2004
364,7572005
586,078
Source: MDA

Groundnut
153,729
209,369
168,225
139,035

Sesame9,864
5,709
28,64942,199Tigernut
19,441
26,312
23,214
8,095

Bambara Cotton
groundnut
14,956
8,260
5,457
4,700
27,108
10,17728,000

Onion
5,074
1,575
291,780-

Date, a major crop in oasis, and cotton, onion and pepper, major crops in valley system aretaken up here for observation.
① Date (Oasis)
Wide range of crops are grown in oases for local consumption. Dates are produced at a groupof oases around Bilma in the northeastern part of Agadez, Air mountain massif of thenorth-central valley and at oases of southern Maine-Soroa in Diffa region. These 3 groups
constitute colonies of dates with more than700,000 roots. According to FAO, production in2001 was 8,000t, but the figure from the Bureau of National Statistics and Accounting(Direction de la statistique et de la comptabilité nationale: DSCN）was 1,500t, with a big
disparity between the two.
30

Dates have the share of 2% in agricultural export, but at the same time Niger is an importing
country. Almost all (97% in 2001-2002) of exported dates were produced in Algeria. Niger
plays a role of relay trade between Algeria and Nigeria on date trade.
Based on the domestic supply (production plus import) and domestic consumption(kg/capita/year), some report say that, though invisible, considerable amount of dates areexported from Algeria to Nigeria informally without appearing in statistics. It is certain that
income from dates contributes much to oases economy by large share like maize and cassava.
Table II.6

Dates( fresh, dry) import 1999−2002

Year Quantity(t) Amount（FCFA） Price（FCFA/kg）
1992
4,396
238,448,321
54
1993
3,561
142,135,813
40
1994
3,387
439,783,103
130
1995
4,867
236,073,558
49
1996
5,367
400,122,653
75
1997
3,969
201,945,662
51
1998
5,808
297,756,615
51
1999
9,000
555,333,791
62
2000
8,602
575,906,916
67
2001
11,623684,732,561
59
2002
16,009814,160,133
51
total
76,5894,586,399,126
60
Source: DSCN(1992-2001), DGD(2002)

Table II.7

Dates export of Niger 1992−2002

Year Quantity(t) Amount(FCFA) Price（FCFA/t） Euro＊／t
1992
431
14,430,300
33,48051
1993
21
2,091,000
99,571152
1994
78
8,100,551
103,986
159
1995
nd
nd
nd
nd
1996
105
10,349,600
98,883151
1997
578
42,066,088
72,766
111
1998
859
107,577,450
125,207
191
1999
2,091
370,013,660
176,955
270
2000
3,169
633,498,050
199,905
305
2001
2,678
505,357,153
188,707
288
2002
2,475
491,242,250
198,482
303
total
12,4872,184,726,102
174,988267
Source: DSCN(1992-2001), DGD(2002) ＊1Euro = 655.957FCFA,nd : no data

② Cotton
Cotton is mainly produced in Tahoua, Maradi and Dosso regions. First in 1956-57, cotton
was introduced to Tahoua and Maradi regions and in ‘70s it spread rapidly to other regions. Of
Tahoua region with share of 80% in production, major producing districts are valleys ofAder-Doutchi-Maggia, of Maradi region with 15% share, major producing districts are valleys
of Goulbis and Maradi, and in Dosso region with 5% share, major producing districts arevalleys of Dallol, Maouli and Foga.
Since 1980, production declined and export had been suspended. However, due to the support
by the government for production and export such as free distribution of seeds, pesticides and31fertilizers, complete recovery have been achieved in 1993, attaining 2% of export share in total
agricultural export.
Since 1990, promotion of cotton production and collection formerly dealt by the government
were transferred to Niger Cotton Cooperatives (SCN) newly created in line with the policy
direction of privatization program.
Apart from the figures in statistics, a part of the products is said to have been exported
illegally to Nigeria. In addition to SCN, there is a company called Niger Joint Cotton Company(CNUCINI) supported by China. This company is operating a spinning factory. Two types ofcotton production are observed, one for irrigated and consolidated condition and another for
rainfed. The share of the latter in production account for 40%.
③ OnionOnion is now Niger’s important export crop to West African countries. Yield is considerablyhigh at 30t/hand has a potential to be 60kg/ha. In general, high adaptability to any places
contributes to the increase in production. Onions are grown wherever market access is available.
In the belt zone connecting Ader-Doutchi-Maggia-Tarka, around 6,500ha are planted annuallywith production of 220,000t. People of Niger have strong expectation on this crop as production
methods, techniques and market are well established and markets both of domestic and foreign
are reliable.
Related statistics on onion are also limited. FAO statistics reports onion production of Niger
in 2003 as 270,000t. Domestic consumption among them was 11,000t, and this is equal to
1.1kg/capita.
④ PepperPepper production in Niger concentrates in Komadougou of Diffa region (more than 80% of
the total production). In other parts of the country, production is mostly observed at homegardens in various parts of Zinder and Maradi regions.
Pepper is usually grown intensively in off-season (dry season) at vegetable farms equippedwith irrigation facility. Similar to other vegetables, no reliable data on output is available. It is
assumed that, since 2000, planted area is expanding and production is estimated to be doubled
except a lean year 2002. Though yield has not dramatically increased, efforts by farmers andimproved technology seem to have contributed to the increased production. Impact of pepper tonational economy cannot be calculated accurately, but annual profit obtained is estimated as 4
billion FCFA. Domestic demand is estimated at 3,000t in total, by 0.3kg/capita which would beequivalent to 26% of annual production. Remaining 7,000t are exported to foreign countries.
(3)

Rice cultivation①

Production and demand /supply trend32

Rice production fluctuates very much year after year. However, if the situation is favorable,
production will be more than 70,000t, following to major cereals of pearl millet and sorghum. In
addition to the sharp increase in per capita consumption from 12kg in 1989 to 17kg in 2002,
population growth was at high level of 3.4%/year. Therefore, production could cover only 1/3 ofthe domestic demand (Sido 2008).
Rice production system is classified into 3 types; ①Extensive traditional rice cultivation inriverside or lakeside fields, around 10,000ha in total with average yield of 0.7 t/ha. ②Intensive
irrigated rice cultivation with double cropping, with total area of 8,000 ha and average yield of
4-5 t/ha. Tillaberi region occupies 88% of the area, followed by CUN Niamey (7.7%) andDosso region (4.3%) all in Niger river basin (FUCOPRI). Daiberi, one of the irrigation schemesin Tillaberi, covering 290ha with 700 farmers, started NERICA rice production from 2007
expecting the yield of 8-9 t/ha. ③Rice cultivation in the rainy season by small scale pumpirrigation, covering 1,500ha in total with the yield of 3 t/kg. In the dry season, vegetables aregrown. Beside these types, FAO reports the existence of mixed farming with upland rice byslash and burn though much limited in scale.
The government is much involved in rice industry. To each of rice irrigation schemes,
producing more than 80% of the national rice production, director is dispatched from National
Office for Hydro-Agricultural Development (Office National des Aménagements Hydroagricoles, ONAHA) to supervise producers’ cooperatives. Rice milling and processing is
exclusively dealt by Niger Rice Corporation (Le Riz du Niger SAEM: RINI), while selection ofrice varieties and seeds production is handled by National Agricultural Research Institute(Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger: INRAN). Federation of Rice
Producers’ Cooperatives of Niger (Fédération des Unions des Coopératives des Producteurs de
Riz du Niger: FUCOPRI), located in Niamey, coordinates 37 separate cooperatives with a totalof 21,000 members.
Farming operations are almost exclusively dependent on manual labor except a part of that in
irrigation schemes. Observing the activity of threshing operation by hitting, the post harvest loss
due to scattering paddy grains seemed to be enormous. Varieties adopted 10 years ago were
Gui-Chao 2, JB-4 and others, but now quite different varieties are grown in irrigation schemes,such as BG90-2, IR1529, IR54, D5237, WITA8 and WITA9, with yield on average at 5-6 t/ha.
Other certified varieties for extension include WAS4-B-B9-1-4-TGR48 and Kogoni91-1(Gambiaka). In 2007, 2 NERICA varieties (N-L-49 and N-L-39) were chosen for extension. In
2008, these are scheduled to be registered by Nomination Committee.
The processing of rice is responsible for RINI which has 3 large scale rice mills in the
country. According to the presentation given on the occasion of visit to RINI on Oct. 2008,
milling capacity of Niamey factory was 6,000 t/year, that of Tillaberi factory, the biggest one,was 15,000t/year and of Kollo factory was 4,000 t/year. In case of Niamey factory, as daily
capacity of milling was told to be 23t/day, working days per year is considered as 260 days.

33

Anyway, total capacity of 3 factories cannot meet the requirements of domestic consumption. In
practice, around half of the total rice production is consumed by producing farmers as theirhome consumption and remaining half is sold to RINI or to private dealers such as SSL, Sotagri
and Beidou Ibrahim.
Recent trend of demand/supply shows that, while demand is sharply increasing, domestic
production remains rather stagnant, with increasing dependence on importation and assistancefrom abroad.

Fig. II.10

Demand/supply trend of rice (milled rice)

Note 1: Various types of rice (paddy, brown rice, milled and broken rice) are converted to milled
rice (conversion factor from paddy to milled rice is 0.65).
Note 2: No data for 2007 import, 2006 /2007 food aid, 1961〜1993 and 2007 export
Source: FAOSTAT②

Problems of rice production
As the problems faced in rice production, such issues are raised. (1) Low temperature for

irrigated rice farming in the dry season, (2) Inappropriate maintenance of irrigation facility, (3)Unstable supply of input materials, (4) Lack of implements particularly for post harvest
operation, (5) Inefficient management of farmers’ organization, (6) Competing various farming
operations, (7) Comprehensive issues related to policies on demand/supply, transportation andmarketing, and (8)Support to research and extension etc (FAO).
Major issues to be tackled in the field of research are: (1) resistance to pests and diseases, lowyields, inferior rice quality in the dry season, limited number of varieties, (2) plant protection

34

against pests/diseases (stem borer, diamondback moth, rice blast, rice yellow mottle virus,
brown spot, nematode), birds, water hyacinth etc., (3) lack of soil map required for soil andwater management, and concerned information on soil characteristics and micro nutrients, (4)lack of technical information on fertilizer application and nursery-bed management in the dry
season and insufficient cropping calendar, (5) difficulty of coexistence of upland crops andirrigated farming in the rainy season, and lack of research on cropping system including rice.
Table II.8 shows the trend of rice planted area, yield and production since 1980（Cabinet). It
is noted that while the yield before ‘80s remained at 2.0 t/ha, it has reached now to 3.5 t/ha. Thismight show the technological progress of rice cultivation in Niger. However in ‘90s, plantedarea had often declined greatly and in early half of the ‘90s, yield often remained less than 1.0
t/ha, showing unstable factors of rice production in Niger.
Table II.8 Yearly change of planted area (ha), yield (kg/ha) and production (ton) of rice
(paddy) (1980-2001)
Area
Yield
Production
Area
Yield
Production
Area
Yield
Production

1980
20,0601,490
29,892
1990
10,226
962
9,838
2000
18,245
3,313
60,453

1981
20,6701,884
38,945
1991
5,134
1,147
5,889
2001
24,625
3,048
75,074

1982
20,234
2,037
41,2201992
14,523
1,417
20,576
2002
23,853
3,352
79,9491983
22,1602,022
44,798
1993
6,060
1,489
9,025
2003
18,7103,045
56,9801984
12,284
2,518
48,548
1994
7,828
70
550
2004
23,383
3,340
78,0991985
20,5852,754
56,694
1995
20,6482,472
51,045
2005
15,1103,964
59,902

1986
27,6452,730
75,782
1996
44,787
1,857
83,188
2006
21,136
3,708
78,377

1987
24,802
2,477
61,428
1997
17,882
4,127
73,8102007
22,435
3,120
70,0001988
17,555
3,011
52,864
1998
14,898
3,935
58,628

1989
22,535
3,415
76,95
1999
15,0784,111
61,989Source: 1980-2001 from [Direction de l'Agriculture, MDA（SDR）]
2002-2007 from [Direction des Statistiques, MDA]

For the realization of SDR, the report has been prepared by the committee consisting ofmembers from various Ministries. The report points out the followings as the constraints fordevelopment of rice production
1) Compensation for landowners on new land development
2) Difficulty of establishing clear prospect on agricultural investment
3) High input and energy costs reduce the competitive power of the agricultural productand weaken the management capacity of cooperatives, leading to the difficulty on
operation and maintenance of irrigation facilities.
4) Low profitability due to small scale (0.25-1.0 ha) rice farming5) Competition with rice imported or donated as assistanceFurther, problems of water demand/supply will remain unsolved, as limited progress is seen
for water resource development. Extension officers who have been working on irrigated rice
growing are now facing the problem of how to tackle the issues on improving traditional low
input technologies.

35

2. Theme and Target for Agricultural Development
Prospect of agricultural development on food doesn’t look so bright as clearly shown in thepreceding description. Severe natural conditions, particularly low and erratic rainfall together
with high temperature accelerates the aridity of Niger. Sahel-Sudanese zone where highest
rainfall can be expected in the country (600-800mm/year) covers only 1 % of the total national
land area, followed by Sahel zone (350-600mm/year) of 10%, Sahara-Sahel zone (150-350mm)
of 12% and all of the remaining 77% are covered by Desert (less than 150mm). Therefore, thisis not considered suitable environment for agriculture. However, foundation of national
economy deeply depend on the economic activities of the rural people, and though Niger cannot
be considered as genuine agricultural country, agriculture continues to remain as the country’s
core industry.
1) Theme of agricultural development
Rural economy of Niger exposes diverse features responding to the potential productivity ofeach area. Family farm is an universal pattern of farm management and traditional technologies
of low productivity are adopted. Here, outline of the issues related to harmful birds and insects
and use of agro-chemicals for their eradication, problems on crop production and basic unit ofproduction will be described.
(1) Insect and bird damages and use of agro- chemicals
In addition to the severe climatic condition, damages by insects and birds have been
extremely serious in Niger. In developed countries, laws to control the use of agriculturalchemical are strictly observed, but in Niger, agricultural chemicals are considered indispensable
at present. This is due to the tremendous damages by insects and birds. Rough estimate in 2007shows that damaged area as 229,521 ha, and chemical applied area was about 63.44% or
145,617ha. About 67,678 litres of chemical had been sprayed.
(2) Theme for major crops production
As stated, major crops include subsistent crops such as pearl millet, sorghum, rice, fonio andmaize, and cash crops such as cowpea, groundnut, Bambara groundnut, sesame, roselle, tiger
nut and cotton. Average size of farmland of rain-fed area is 5-6ha/family. Here, extensive
cultivation is practised manualy and yield is naturally low and fluctuates year by year.
Infertility of soil and shortening of fallow period, together with inappropriate land
reclamation encourage soil erosion by water and wind and hinder recovery of soil fertility.
According to the statistics, only 4% of the total rain-fed area are fertilised properly. Irrigatedagriculture are conducted in very small scale as a production unit. Irrigated farmland ispartitioned to 0.25-0.5ha/ household. Size of the partitionon seems to have been decided not36

from the productivity but from the respect for traditional inheritance system. Malfunctoioning
and difficulty of operation and management of facilities etc. constitute hindering factors forsustainable agriculture.
(3)

Basic unit of agricultural production

Basi unit of agricultural production in Niger is defined as a community based onfamily/household, be it large or small. The community consits of family with female and youth,
and is led by the chief. This community constitutes a basic unit and play an important role on
keeping balance of production and consumption.
Concentration of power to chief as mentioned might be risky, but it also enhances humanbondages among the members of community. Traditional values and social custom of respect
for seniors in Niger also contributes to enhance the chief’s grasp of economic power and his
decision to encourage the incresed individual freedom and harmonious growth of thecommunity. Average yearly income/ houserhold is said to be not more than 35,000FCFA. Thislevel of income does not allow for investment on production and others.
In rural Niger, some changes are occurring on relationship between families of crop
production and livestock production. Traditionally, many herders come to the crop filed in dry
season after harvest to use the crop residue for livestock, while providing fertilizers by animal
excreta to the cropland, contributing to the recovery of soil fertility.Such collaborative
relationship are not seen now, in paraellel to the development of livestock production in thesouth and expansion of cultivated land in the north.
2) Targets established recently by the Ministry of Agricultural Development
The Ministry of Agricultural Development has prepared the latest version of targets in[Agricultural Production Final Report 2007-08]. In the report, aiming at food security, themes
related to accelerated rural development and energy resources, both for short and long termbasis are emphasized as follows ; (MDA 2008).
Shor term Target
・Improve food supply system with high quality,
・Establish promotion system of agricultural production,
・Secure surplus to food deficit area.
Longterm Target
・Establish legal and administrative systems including rural custom laws,
・Reconstruction of agricultural marketing system,
・Review of the current status and importsance of agriculture in the national
economy.

37

3. Support System for Agricultural Production1) Law and regulation on land and rural areas
After the devastative drought in 1984 in Sahel, the Governmemnt of Niger had recognizedthat the land and other natural reources managent depended too much on central government sofar, and it was not the effective option. Major problems confronted are the following.
Increased conflicts between farmers and herders on the access to natural resources
Reduced land for nomadic herders due to expansion of cropland by increased
population
Discouraged tree planting in cause of insufficient traditional law system, which
disturbs the land borrowing farmers willing to plant trees
Continued grasp of power by chiefs on land owners
In 1986, under the administration of the President Kountche the government intended toestablish comprehensive legal system and rules to upgrade the administrative function onsocio-cultural problems related to natural resources management including land. Seven years
later, on March 2nd 1993, Ordinance No. 93-015 was promulgated providing basic guideline on
Law on Rural Affairs.
This includes ;① Assurance of right on land for local dwellers② Management of farmland and their systematic utilization③ Promotion of better practice on natural resources management and conservation④ Presentation of the guideline for natural resources utilization

Administrative system the Govenment intended to prepare in the law for rural affairs are
divided to that of national and local levels. At the national level, National Committee wasestablished with permanent secretariat. At the local level, land committees are organized atprovincial, district and village levels respectively. Objectives of the law for rural affairs aresame as the above 4.
It is clearly stated that, basically all land, either reclaimed or not, belong to the state. At thesame time, it recognizes the existence of traditional authority. This might be raher uniquejudging from the common understanding of modern state. However, these strategies reflect the
respct for traditional system and the intention to harmonize the traditional one to the new
approach. This startegy is calling attention from neighboring African countries as a practical andrational one for land issues.[ Preparation Committee of Law for Rural Affairs] has the role toinform public widely the existence of this law and the committee.
Under the permanent secretariat of National Committee, 8 Regional Committes withpermanent secretariat are created. These committeees deal with formulation of detailed schemes
for preparation of rules on land and supervise the activitie of lower branch committes. In 36
departments, 265 communes and 15,000 villages, these committees are organized respectively,
dealing with actual procedures for application of the law.

38

Key to the success of the preparation of the Law for Rural Affairs depends on the executing
capacity of these local committees. Because, local land committes play the actual role onrecording and management of land title and guaranttee the individual right on land. However,the local land committes are not entitled to solve the conflicts on land, thus the committes areseriously suffered with legal contradiction.
In short, it might be said that the efforts of the Government of Niger on preparation of laws
and rules on land and natural resources management has not yet solved the problems, but
created new problems. It is said that the efforts by respective administration did not focus theissues on management of land and natural resources, the common asset of the state seriously,
but too much biased by political speculation. One researcher, taking note of this, presents thelessons as follows;
Review of the current traditional rural law and regulation is required.Whether local landcommittees are well functioning, and appropriate solutions for the respective case of
conflicts at the village level are provided, need to be clarified.
To know the good and bad points of the case of conflict solution. By doing so, tosummarize all the interests on land and natural resources management, paving the way forlegalization and harmonization with transparency.
To analyse cases of conflicts on land and natural resource management caused by ruraldevelopment

projectandtomaintainbettercoordination

among

concerned

ministries/agencies, donor countries and agencies and NGOs toward the future
development.
Current rules and regulations applied be recognized practically, and establishing thesystem of all the land plots to be registered if the rural residents want to do so.
To analyse and to put in order the current situation of interested parties on land, for asmooth introduction of land register sysatem.
In advance to the introduction of register system mentioned above, solutions to the
expected problems need to be considered. Again, to consider the viability of the system tosolve these problems.
2) Agricultural credit system

National Agricultural Credit Fund (Caisse Nationale de Crédit Agricole: CNCA) wasestablished in 1968 as an independent financial organization to provide the fund to Agricultural
Credit (Crédit Agricole: CA) for its management of investment fund. Supply of the agricultural
credit, processing of credit requests and financial management of cooperatives were the major
functions of CNCA.
CNCA provides neccessary fund to UNCC for the collection of agricultural products such as
pearl millet and sorghum, and procurement of input such as seeds and fertilizers. In addition,
CNCA provided fund to OPVN and SONARA for their revolving fund and fund for covering

39

deficit.
Though it is an independent organization officially, CNCA has maintained strong tie with
UNCC, thus the relation with final clients (user of the credit) has become distant. Provision of
the credit was made through malfunctioning cooperatives and, as a result the recovery rate of
the credit remained low, leading to the functional disorder of CNCA.
In 1980’s almost 80% of CNCA loan were provided for public organizations or projects on
agriculture other than individual farmers.
In 1984, 72% of the of loans disbursed by CNCA were not repaid and among them 58% were
judged as not collectable. With the abolition of UNCC, CNCA had actually collapsed though it
remains only by name.
Though existing financial system in Niger is very poor, but among the countries of West
African Economic and Monetary Union (Union Economique et Monétaire Ouest-Africaine:
UEMOA) in 2003, Niger had 8 private financial organizations including CNCA, 4 insurancecompanies, 164 micro-finance groups and postal services organization. A number of them could
maintain the rquired level of capital holdings set by the Central Banks in West African countries(BCEAO), but the situation was really critical. 3 financial insititutions were already judged by
the Government to be restructured and were put under government control. These were, Niger
Credit Bank (BCN), Community Common Fund (CPCT) and Niger Credit Company (CDN).
Restrucure plan of BCN completed in 2003 and protection and management by BCEAO wasterminated on June 2003. In finance sector, about 2/3 of the total fund are held by two banks.
Partly due to the small economic scale of formal sector, financial services to private sector isvery much limited, and concentrated mainly to retailing and mining. New investment to thefinancial and credit system is also limited. Total fund owned by financial institutions are lessthan 6% of GDP. Between 1988-1992, 4 financial institution had collasped. These are a majorbank, Food Development Bank (BDRN) and 3 private institutions, Niger International Industrial
and Commerce Bank (BCI-N), Commercial Credit Bank (BCC) and Niger Islam Bank (BIN).
At the stage of 2003, financial institutions well performing in the area of food are, Niger
Commercial Bank managed by Libya-Arab Republic Foreign Investment Bank, Niger Branch of
African International Bank (35% of capital from Belgian companies), Niger Islam
Commercial Investment Bank (33% of capital from Islam Development Bank), Niger Branch of
Bank of America, Eco Bank Niger (Affliated to City Bank) and CNCA. However, most of theirlocal branches in the country are not functioning satisfactorily.
On the above context, CNCA can narrowly play a part of its role mainly depending on thecooperation projects by foreign donors for their micro-finance activities. But these projects arelimited in number.
3) Farmers organizations , agriculture cooperatives
During the days of Kountche administration, Communities for Development (Société de40

Développement: SD) were organized in 1983. The vitality of the youth, which covered morethan 60% of the total population at that time were intended to be mobilized, throughparticipation in Samariya (traditional village youth groups) to farmers’ cooperatives, together
with the representatives of other social.-vocational groups (labor union, professional group,
women’s association, tribe etc.) at various local levels to organize the Communities forDevelopment for the organized development activities under the banner of consultation andparticipation. However, this did not continue for a long time.
Cooperative system of Niger consisted of 4 organizations, namely, Niger Federation ofCreditUnions (Union Nigérienne de Crédit et de la Coopération: UNCC), Food Supply
Association (Centrale d’Approvisionnement: CA), aforementioned National Agricultural Credit
Fund (Caisse Nationale de Crédit Agricole: CNCA) and National Union of Agricultuiral
Cooperatives (Union Nationale des Coopératives: UNC).
UNCC was established in 1962 for the purposes of organizing farmers to cooperatives,training member farmers and their leaders and providing support on investment and marketing.
However, UNCC was severely criticized at the government-sponsored seminar in 1982. Major
points of this criticism were that the UNCC’s centralized administration hindered the autonomy
and independence of individual cooperatives and that UNCC did not provide support requiredby cooperatives. In 1985, UNCC was abolished and its role was succeeded by UNC.
CA was established in 1978 as a branch office of UNCC with major function of providing,storing and distributing agricultural input such chemicals and fertilizers. Until 1985, CA had
monopolized fertlizer and chemical trade, but CA is now exposed to the competition fromprivate sector in this field.
After the abolition of UNCC, CA is under the roof of UNC. Since then, UNC continues toremain as an organization to coordinate the cooperatives scattered all over the country, but
actually cooperatives are so decentralized and their functions and activities have been muchdiversified
4) Marketing of agricultural products
Marketing of agricultural products in Niger are dealt by different semi-govermentalorganizations according to the commodity. Organization dealing with food crops ; Food
Corporation of Niger (Office des Produits Vivrières du Niger: OPVN), for groundnut;
Groundnut Corporation (Société Nigerienne de Commericialisation de l’Arachide: SONARA),
and for rice ; Rice Corporation (Le Riz du Niger: RIN). These corporations buy and sell the
products at officially fixed price. They also reserve and import/ export respective commodity forthe stabilization of the domestic prices.

4. Current Situation of Livestock Industry and the Issues for Development
In Niger, types of farming are diverse, such as nomadic and sedentary or mixed one. Most of41

crop farmers (sedentary) also raise cattle. Livestock is the 2nd important agricultural sub-sector
after crops. In early part of 1990’s, share of livestock in GDP was17% and 31.6% of the ruralsector. Therefore, potential of increasing income by livestock is expected even by crop farmers
in the situation of frequent drought and expanding desertification.
In numbers, 3 animals namely goat, sheep and cattle are dominant. As for draught animals,
camel, horse and donkey are popular. Swine is extremely limited due to religious taboo as many
people are Muslim, In case of poultry, chicken and guinea fowl are common, followed by duckand pigeon.
1) Current situation of livestock
Due to rapid desertification and repeated drought since 1960’s, with human factors of rapid
population growth, forest and pastureland have sharply decreased. Natural vegetation, biomass
used as grass for livestock have decreased and grazing has been intensified, causing increased
tension and conflict with crop farmers.
Nomadic herders often release their livestock to cropland of pearl millet and sorghum tovegetable garden in cool and dry season. These threaten crop farmers’ production activity andconfrontation of herders and crop farmers are intensified. Complementarity existed between thetwo parties in the past is now seen as a story of the past.
Decrease and destruction of pastureland often forced nomadic herders to move into
inappropriate land for livestock, and this resulted in decreased productivity. It is pointed out thatthe herders are now facing difficulty to adapt to the changing environment due to weakorganization and traditional poor cattle raising technology. As a result, some nomadic herders
have now turned to sedentary (or semi-sedentary) or have stopped to keep some kind of animals
or changed their composition (for example, reduce cattle and increase goat) due to the problemsof drought, disease resistances and required feed. Livestock extension officers warn that somany herders retain livestock for the insurance of emergency without using for homeconsumption or field works and this often leads to the loss of livestock by decrepitude. But it isreported that herders do not respond to this advice.
Number of major livestock is listed on Table II.9.
(1)

Number of major livestock
Table II.9 Number of major livestock and UBT
Kind
NumberUBT
Cattle7,336,088
5,868,870
Sheep
9,192,729
1,378,909
Goat
11,238,269
1,685,740
Donkey1,477,075
738,535
Horse
230,176
230,176
Camel
1,565,420
1,565,420
Total
31,039,757
11,467,654
Note Unité Bétail Tropical (Livestock Unit in Tropics): weight 250kg=１UBT

42

(2)

Number of livestock by regions
Table II.10 Number of livestock by regions

Whole country

Agadez

Diffa

Dosso

MaradiNiameyTahouaTillabériZinder2005
7,336.1
9,192.0
11,238.3
1,565.4
230.2
1,477.1
52.4
524.5
616.5
135.2
2.5
89.0
799.8
715.5
1,009.0
367.3
45.0
138.6
704.1
660.2
840.0
27.8
11.6
124.4
1,132.9
1,520.7
1,989.9
249.894
16.4
182.5
36.6
138.8
75.3
0.042
0.3
2.5
1,437.4
1,978.2
2,089.6
480.8
28.9
377.9
1,550.1
1,292.9
1,452.4
85.3
18.3
278.2
1,622.8
2,361.3
3,165.6

Cattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Goat
Sheep
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
Horse
DonkeyCattle
Sheep
Goat

43

1000head
2006
7,482.8
9,467.8
11,519.2
1,588.9232.5
1,506.6
53.4
540.2
631.9
137.2
2.5
90.8
815.8
737.0
1,034.2
372.8
45.5
141.4
718.2
680.0
861.0
28.2
11.7
126.9
1,155.6
1,566.4
2,039.6
253.64241
16.5
186.2
37.3
142.9
77.2
0.042630.3
2.5
1,466.1
2,037.5
2,141.8
488.0
29.2
385.5
1,581.1
1,331.7
1,488.7
86.5
18.5
283.8
1,655.3
2,432.1
3,244.7

2007
8,242.8
9,846.7
12,155.3
1,606.4
234.8
1,536.7
58.8
561.8
666.8
138.7
2.6
92.6
898.7
766.5
1,091.4
376.9
45.9
144.2
791.2
707.2
908.6
28.6
11.8
129.4
1,272.9
1,629.1
2,152.3
256.432
16.7
189.9
41.1
148.6
81.4
0.043
0.3
2.6
1,615.0
2,119.1
2,260.1
493.4
29.5
393.2
1,741.7
1,385.0
1,570.9
87.5
18.7
289.4
1,823.4
2,529.5
3,423.9

Camel
219.1
Horse
107.2
Donkey283.9
Source: Les données sont corrigées après la publication des résultats de RGCA
Source: Direction de l'Elevage

222.4
108.2
289.6

224.8
109.3
295.4

(3) Meat production
Production of meat increased 55% during the year 2000-2005, but per capita consumption
remains low of 5kg per year, reflecting the lack of raw meat preservation facilities anduncontrolled slauthering.
Most of meat produced are consumed within the country, and very limited amount areexported to Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire (Table II.11).
Table II.11

Trend of raw meat production (2000-2005)

Modern slaughter/ raw meat (kg)/viscera etc.（kg）
Sub total(kg)
Traditional slaughter
（kg）
（kg）
Raw meat total
Average price
FCFA/kg）
Total amount (1.0 milFCFA）
Source: MRA

2002
27,919,808

2003
26,921,513

2004
30,107,369

2005
36.924,022

7,396,949
35,318,759
24,721,730
60,040,489
1,200
72.05

7,138,979
34,062,495
34,060,492
68,122,987
1,200
81.75

7,997,015
38,106,388
38,106,388
76,210,772
1,200
91.45

9,631,897
46,557,924
46,557,924
93,113,844
1,200
111.74(4) Milk production
In Niger, share of milk and milk products in total nutritional value is estimated as 20%, andabout 80% of the supplementary nutrition sources. Milk production of a cow per day isconsidered as 1-2 litre on average of milking period. Production cannot meet domestic demand.
According to FAO, Niger had imported 5 billion FCFA of milk products in 2003.
Increasing trend of import is observed. Low per head production in 2005 was due to theirregular rainfall and outbreak of desert locust damages (Table II.12).
TableII.12 Milk production (2002-2005)
Kind
Cattle
Sheep
Goat
Camel
total
Source: MRA

(5)

2002
175,411,368
84,353,040
188,847,855
66,844,206
515,458,471

2003
178,919,631
86,883,636
193,569,054
67,846,896
527,221,220

2004
182,497,986
89,490,144
198,408,273
68,864,621
539,263,028

unit: litre
2005
186,147,968
91,279,944
202,376,433
70,241,886
550,048,236

Hide (Raw hide and leather)In Niger, processing of raw hide to leather are commonly practised by handcraft almost in allpart of the country. About 95% of the total production are exported, of which 80% are to
Nigeria. Yearly production are, 200,000 pieces of cow hide (tanned), 900,000 pieces of sheep
44

hide (raw) and 1,550,000 pieces of goat hide (raw). Leather production by semi-modern tanningtechnology account 912,000 pieces.
2) Themes of livestock industry(1)

Limitations of traditional technology

Repeated drought and outbreak of locust damage, together with rapid population increase,brought about drastic changes of environment surrounding agriculture in Niger. This situation
makes it difficult to continue livestock production by age-old traditional technology.
(2) Confrontation with sedentary farmers
Entry of livestock to the field of millet and sorghum before harvest, and also breaking fenceof vegetable garden often causes the troubles. Compensation for the damage is the root of theconflict(3)

Lack of veterinarians and livestock extension officers

As an extension officer covers very broad areas, technical services provided to local
inhabitants are very poor. Veterinarians are also limited in number for appropriate technicalsupport.
(4)

Limited use of supplementary feed

In grazing major feed is natural grass. Therefore, to secure feed in dry season is the issue ofconcern. Securing supplementary feed is closely related to the forest and tree planting. As an
example, Acacia albida will be taken up on its feed value. Acacia albida is very uselful tree forlivestock in Niger. Dry nut has more than two times of feed value of groundnut leaves(0.77UF/kg) and one grown up tree provides 120-140kg nuts (Survey result at Bambay,
Senegal). From 20 trees/ha 2,500kg nuts are harvested and these equal to 1,930kg of wheat(1,930UF). It is estimated that by using Acacia albida more than two times of cattle could beraised in Senegal and Niger.
(5) Marketing
In the marketing channel of livestock, there exist traditional middlemen who exploite nomads
as well as the sedentary farmers. Particularly in case of sedentary farmers with a limited numberof livestock, they consider their livestock as as insurance for emergency (famine, wedding,disease, accident etc.). In selling livestock to obtain cash, they are so often beaten down theprice much lower than the market price.

45

5. Trend of Forestry
1) Forest areas
Forest in Niger occupy about 23% of the total land area with annual rainfall of more than
150mm - 600mm, located in the suthern part, streching to Sahel-Sahara, Sahel and Sahel Sudan climatic zone.
No definitive data on forest resources are available. Department of Environment, in charge offorest issues, has no capacity to measure or estimate forest acreage due to lack of fund andhuman resources.
Therefore, in the midst of forest destruction and desertfication by repeated drought and rapid
population growth, so many different figures on forest acreage have been presented.
-1981 Sahel Club

16,096,400 ha-1989 Project on Soil/ forest Plan (PUSF)

14, 196,400

haAmong above, 4 mil.ha will be available for fuel wood resource development-1990 FAO

10,500,000 ha-1991 Catinot（FAO）

13,000,000 ha-1999 M. Hamadou, S. Gambo

5,741,914ha-2005 FAO (FRA/ World Forest Resources Assessment)
Acreage: more than 0.5ha, Height: more than 5m
1,226,000ha

Covering ratio : more than 10%
Acreage : more than 5ha height: more than 5m

3,740,000ha

Covering ratio: 5 - 10%

Above forest are pointed out to be decreased by 60,000ha annually.
Figures in the base year differ by the reports. Due to lack of the latest statistical data,
estimation needs to be made. In FAO’s report (Connaissances actuelles et tendances des produits
forestiers au Niger), figure of forest acreage differs much between figures used for fuel wood andfor forest growth, due to the difference of surveyors.
Table II.13 Changes of forest acreage (Difference by surveyors/ FAO)
Surveyors
GARBA.Hand others
M.Laouali

Changes of forest acreage (ha)
1998
1999

1996

1997

2000

9,075,870

8,858,049

8,645,456

8,437,965

8,235,454

12,863,600

12,673,200

12,482,800

12,292,400

12,102,000

Except the cases of projects executed at the specific areas with strict measurement, a certain
figure is selected as a basis and multiplied by exponent in many cases. Therefore, some
contradiction among the reports is often noticed.
In the following analysis, for the figures related to forest acreage, production and fuel wood,46

data of the Ministry of Irrigation, Environment and Anti-desertification which is based on FAO(M.Laouali) will be used.
2) Classification of forest (natural forest ) by types
Forest in Niger is classified into several types according to the formulation, vegetation andfunction.
(1)

Plateau typeThis type consists of tiger bush (brousse tigrée) which is intermixed by naked land and small
scale forest, spotted bush (brousse tachetée) which is the seen as crowded tiger bush andscattered forest without forming any specific structure.

Photo II.1 Tiger bushgrown up tree

Photo II.2 Spotted bush (Google Earth）

shifting of forest

dead tree
young treedead tree

germination
D

C

B

A

water flow

bare ground

Rainfall to the bare ground of Lithosols, forming the plateau, does not penetrate to soil, but flows
A B C along the mild slope (0.5%-2.0%). Accumlated water become maximum at B where thesediment is high, and water does not reach D. Thus grown up trees in C stop their growth and trees in
D wither. At the area of A, the connecting point of forest and bare soil, sprouts of trees are observed
among pioneer plants like gramineous species and these sprout grow to young trees.Through theseprocess for a long period, forest shift to bare ground. Tiger bush, so to speak, is in a diagram of waterand soil conservation ultimately. Technology on water / soil conservation (CES/DRS) adopted inmany places are undoubtedly the artificial version of this tiger bush system. Mechanism of spottedbush occurrence is not carified yet, but ussually this type is observed in the area of milder slope withmore rich rainfall (Projet Energie II Report).

Fig. II.11 Tiger bush and spotted bushThis type of forest is, according to the preceding classification, exists in areas of southern partof Sahel (rainfall more than 450mm) and on plateaus in the west, central and eastern south,47

equivalent to Sahel Sudan climate zone (more than 600mm).
More than 90% of these shrub forest (tiger bush and spotted bush) are occupied by the typicaltree species such as Guiera senegalensis, Combretum micranthum and Combretum nigricans.
According to the estimate by Abunta in 1984, Plateau type forest existed in 5,000,000ha, of
which 2,200,000ha was tiger bush and spotted bush, and 2,800,000ha was scattered type forest.
It is estimated that, by reclamation for farming and deforestation for fuel wood, on average
60,000ha of forest are being lost every year.
(2)

Lowland/ flood plain typeThis type is observed in lowland/ flood plain, particularly in the areas of clayey soil in Zinder,
Maradi, Tahoua and Tillaberi regions. Major tree species here is a leguminous thorny tree
represented by Acacia nilotica. Propagation capacity by natural regeneration is strong and has
the tendency to grow densely, but also has the risk of extinction by attack of animal (young tree)
and germination failure by flood.
(3) Sandy plain typeThis type is found from southern part of Sahel-Sahara climate zone to the northern part ofSahel-Sudan climate zone, consisting of arid savannah. In addition to tree species ofCombretaceae and fodder trees such as Acacia raddiana and Acacia senegal, from the easternpart of Zinder to Diffa regions many Leptadenia pyrotechnica are observed.In areas of rainy andfavorable condition in south, Piliostigma reticulatum, Prosopis africana, Pourpatia bierra arealso included. This type covers biggest area at present, but acreage of this vegetation is notclarified.
(4)

Agroforestry typeThis type represents the combined one of farming and tree growing. In farmland with crops orin fallow, trees are scattered. More attention go to crops in general, and this often leads to thenegligence of tree growing. But in some areas trees play very important role as a potential forest
resources. According to the survey by Energie II project in 1990, agro-forestry colony in Zinderconsisting mainly of Acacia albida, Prosopis africana, Adansonia digitata covered 157,950ha.
Similarly in 1993 in Maradi region, it covered 100,000ha. Mainly extends in the southernpart(southern Sahel crimate zone) of the country linearly, density of tree planting varys from 10 to
100/ha.
Tree species combined with crops include;−Acacia albida−Doum palm (Hypaene thebaica)−Ronier palm (Borassus aethiopum)−Shea butter tree (Butyrospermum parkii), Baobab trree (Adansonia digitata) and others48

All types of the above forest have also been exposed to natural and man made destruction
caused by repeated drought, land reclamation for crop farming and cutting for fuel and animal
feed. However, most severely hit are said to be Plateau type and Sand plain type. These two
types, different from the Agroforestry type which harmonizes with farming, are locatedsurrounding farming areas from south and north.
Sandy plain type, located in the north, has been exposed to the wave of land reclamation
toward the north since1960’s, when rainfall was favorable, partly due to its vastness and thinly
scattered forest at flat plain where reclamaition was relatively easy.
In May 1961, the law on specifying northern limit for cultivation was enacted. The law (loi61-5) specifies the line by indicating paricular dune, forest, wetland etc. in respective area, northfrom there being prohivited wet season cropping and forming communities there (Article 1 and
2). Those living and farming over there were ordered to abondon, with only one crop before
leave permited (Article 3). Over the northern limit, food production by nomad and oasis farming
were permitted (Article 4). However, the law was not practical and had not duly observed andcultivation continued to advance to the north.
In the course of these development, from ‘70’s and ‘80’s, repeated drought increased soil
aridity and environmental destruction went on in this fragile ecosystem. This led to theaccelerated desertification and lampant conflict between nomads and crop farmers.
On the other hand, in forest of Plateau type located in south-western part, due to its nature oftiger bush and scattered forest, conversion to cropland has occurred rather slowly compared to
the level of rainfall. But reckless cutting tree for fuel caused serious problem. Around Niamey,
the biggest city of Niger, concentric circle of destruction is expanding by illegal cutting andchaotic reclamation from increasing population pressure of 3.3% growth rate.
3) Forest products(1)

Fuel woods

Among forest products, fuel wood has the biggest share in Niger. Fuel woods consumption
per person per day are, 0.65kg in rural area and 0.8kg in urban area. Fuel woods are soldthrough a number of steps to consumers, usually at retail price 50-100 FCFA/ bundle.
(2) Timber
Niger does not produce much forest products as mentioned already. Almost all of timberboard and plywood consumed in the country are imported from Nigeria, Benin and Coted’Ivoire. Papers and paper products daily used are all depending on import.
But its share in total import is fairly low. As most residence are made of mud brick or block,and use of furniture and paper products are limited, total consumption seems to be limited.
(3)

Secondary products49Branches, leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, barks and resin of tree, together with honey and wild
animals, can be said more important and valuable products than timbers for farmers and nomads.
But most of them are for domestic use, and extremely small in terms of contribution to GDP. As
the variety of their uses and kinds and their deep rooted preference by rural inhabitants are
difficult to be measured, they are often underestimated of their importance.

6. Trend of Fisheries
Fishery in Niger has been very active since 1999 as indicated in the figure. Unprecededrecord of fish catch are reported.

Source：FAO Fisheries Statistics

Fig.II.12 Fish catch in Niger
Table II.14 Fish catch in Niger（1972−2003）
Year
Production (t)
Year
1972
16,4001983
1973
16,2001984
1974
15,050
1985
1975
9,142
1986
1976
4,715
1987
1977
7,372
1988
1978
8,783
1989
1979
8,934
1990
1980
8,892
1991
1981
8,208
1992
1982
6,840
1993
Source: DFPP ＊FAO yearbook 2004

Production (t)
3,215
3,000
2,000
2,325
2,400
2,500
4,751
3,200
3,150
2,454
2,162

Year
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004*

Production (t)
2,516
3,616
4,156
6,341
7,013
11,014
16,264
20,82423,65055,86052,000As indicated in the trend of fish catch, Niger’s fisheries has been stagnated for long after
prosperous days in early part of 1970’s. Particularly, during fourteen years from ’83 to ’96,
average catch per year continued to remain low of around 2,900t. But in 1999, it turned to theincreasing trend and in 2003, fish catch marked 55,860t, surpassing the total catch of the past 15
years.
Niger is an inland country. Needless to say, fisheries in Niger is the inland fisheries for fresh
water fishes. According to the report by the Ministry of Irrigation, Environment and50Anti-Desertification, inland waters in Niger include Niger river and its tributaries, Komadougou
Yobe river, Niger's portion of Lake Chad, 970 marshs and ponds and 69 reservoirs with total
area of 400,000ha.
Type of the fisheries will roughly be classified by water body into 3, namely river basin
fisheries at Niger river and Komadougou Yobe river, lake type fisheries like in Lake Chad, andthat in marshs, ponds and reservoirs scattered all over the country.
Table II.15 Fishery production by region（fresh fish）
Agadez
Diffa
Dosso
MaradiNiamey CUN
TahouaTillaberiZinderAquaculture
Total
Source: DFPP

1996

1997

148.5
1,141
21
1,039
1,072
597
138.5

200
864
69.5
1,095
2,501
1,500
112

4,156

6,341

1998

2002*
1,201
12,96515,000
1,006
2,495
2,994
65,5
182.5
42
566
757.5
306
2,716.5
2,500
3,000
1,267
1,725
2,070
198
176.5
108
30
40
7,013
11,014
16,52020,79923,560＊note by author. (estimation ? quoted as it was)
-

1999

2000

4,443
1,262
145
597
2,730.5
1,686,5150

10,370
1,871
146
606
2,000
1,380
147

2001

(unit: ton)2003*
30,000
2,994
42
306
3,000
2,070
108
40
52,000According to FAO data (January 2000), per capita consumption of fish in Niger as an animal
protein was only 0.3-0.5 kg/year. In addition, fish comsumption concentrates mainly to urban
area, thus the consumption of fish remains extremely limited.
Table II.16

Animal protein intake（January 2000）

Burkina Faso
Mali
Niger
Fish
1.5
10.5
0.3−0.5(kg/capita/year)
Meat
7.8
7
−
(kg/capita/year)
Source: EIU(2005): aquaculture & fisheries report for Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso :FAO (2005)

Senegal37−

As seen in the Table II.16, except the case of Senegal which is a coastal country, per capita
consumption of fish in Niger is very limited compared to other inland countries such as Burkina
Faso and Mali. Due to lack of information, any change since 2000 is not available. Anyway, it issaid that about 10% of fish catch in Niger basin and 80% of that from Lake Chad and swamps,
ponds and reservoirs are smoked and exported to Nigeria. Therefore, domestic consumption isestimated at about 20 % of the total fish catch in the country.
(1) Varieties of fish
It is said that there exist about 100 kinds of fish in Niger river and 120 kinds in Lake Chad.
Among them, 3 major varieties are African arowana (Heterotis niloticus), catfishes (Clarias sp.)and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

51

(2)

People engaged in fishery

According to FAO, people engaged in fishery in Niger river basin were 1,157 in the year
1969, 7,983 in 1985 and 2000-3000 in the year 2000. There is a report that says, after therecovery of Lake Chad in 1998/99, many immigrant fishermen have emerged and now
10,000-20,000 fishermen are working. The report on 2003 says that total number of the people
engaged in fishery, including those in processing and marketing was about 50,000.
In Niger river basin, in addition to the fishermen of Niger, many fishermen from Nigeria,Mali, and Benin are operating. Similarly, in Lake Chad, people from Nigeria, Mali, Cameroon,
Sudan, Chad and Central Africa are also operating as professional fishermen. However, they arefacing the problems, such as unstable fish catch, difficulty to diversify their ways of life, lowwage, risk of works and seasonal fluctutaion of fish catch and limited season for operation. Thus
fishery is considered as one of the most unstable proffession.
(3)

Processing

Fished catch is basically all consumed by human and not used as animal feed. Lack ofinfrastructure for preservation and transportation of perishable raw fish is a major constraint to
the effective resource utilization and marketing.
Raw fish are usually sent to the markets in the cities of neigboring regions. In Niger river
basin, almost 90% of catch are sold in and around Niamey for domestic consumption. But incase of Lake Chad or marshs, ponds and reservoirs, about 80% of the catch are proccessed bysmoking and most of them are exported to Nigeria.
Fishing are exclusively done by male, but female are also involved in processing andmarketing fishes and fishery products.
Proccessing methods include smoking, drying and frying. Smoking is most popular, in which
major varieties are catfish, Nile-perch, arowana, tilapia and synodontis.
For fried fish, both small and medium size fishes are used. And these are sold at nearby
markets. Smoking are usually made in traditional way, in open air using earthen smoking
stove. Inefficient methods, long time required and quick spoilage in spite of using a lot of fuelwoods suppress the commercial value of the smoked fishes. It is said that about 50% of the
products are lost by decomposition and attacks by fly. Introduction of improved smoking stove(altona and chorkor) is being promoted but the number of these stoves are quite limited.
Smoked fishes are packed in sacks or carton boxes and then shipped.
(4) Demand and importAs mentioned earlier, animal protein intake in the form of fish in Niger is very low comparedto that of neigboring countries. Lake Chad and marshs and ponds located in the south wheremost of the fish come from, are distant from many other consuming areas in the country. Cost of52

transportation and others hinder the increase in consumption of fish in these areas. On the other
hand, to respond to the strong demand in Niamey and other major cities for fish as a cheap andhigh quality protein resources, both fresh water and marine fishes frozen are imported in large
quantity annually from Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Benin and Cote d’Ivoire.
Table II.17
Year
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
Total
Source: DSCN

Fish import (Quantity and Amount)
Quantity (kg)368,914723,197547,000
453,802349,606
449,694
348,4293,240,642

Amount (FCFA)
119,490,419
183,928,929
308,000,000
164,824,089
149,503,771
178,244,391
107,731,352
1,211,722,951

53

CHAPTER III. JAPAN’S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION ON
AGRICULTURE AND FORESTRY
1. Japanese Cooperation in General
Since 1976, Japan has been extending development cooperation to Niger in the forms ofGrant Aid, Loan, Technical Cooperation in general and dispatch of Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers (JOCV). In recent years, in line with the process of PRSP implementation, thecooperation has been focused on the issues of basic human needs. Towards the poverty
reduction, the most important policy agenda, development cooperation has focused on
establishing sustainable agricultural production and living condition through strengthening ruralcommunity. To this end, education, healthcare and rural development are selected as 3 major
fields of priority (MFA website, 2007a, p.618).
Education (Improvement of access, quality and management of basic education, Human
resources development)
Healthcare (upgrade basic health, counter measure for infectious diseases, support toreproductive health etc.)
Rural Development (Promotion of sustainable rural development)
In recent years, in the field of education, a model of improved management of school has
established by the [Project on Support to the Improvement of School Management throughCommunity Participation (School for All)] Phase I and Phase II and has successfully extended
in all part of the country, and the [Project on Strengthening of Mathematics and Science inSecondary Education (SMASSE-NIGER)] has contributed to upgrade the quality of education.
In addition, the cooperation in the field of rural development has strengthened its function on
information collection and donor coordination. Japanese cooperation has renewed its
recognition.
Table III.1

Japanese ODA to Niger

Net disburse basis.$ mil.

Technical
Year
G-G Loans(1)Grant Aid(2)Total
Cooperation(3)
2002
-1.10
7.96
6.43
13.29
2003
-0.60
8.37
5.89
13.66
2004
-22.36
30.90
5.54
14.08
2005
17.20
6.47
23.68
2006
4.49
7.60
12.09
Total
-28.63364.34143.34479.10Note 1: (1), (2) include actually disbursed amount in the respective year committed by the Exchange ofNotes by both governments. (Repaid amount are deducted in (1).)
Note 2: (2) includes not only of JICA but also those other Ministries and others.
Source: MFA website, 2007a, p.619

54

2. Performance of Japanese Development Cooperation on Agriculture andForestry
Agriculture and forestry has been one of the priority areas for development cooperation.
Cooperation on integrated rural development, protection from desertification, food security andpromotion of irrigated agriculture has been taken up. However, under the condition of severe
financial situation, fragile governance, unstable internal security and others of Niger, together
with budgetary situation on the part of Japan, cooperation has implemented respective projects
independently. Since Technical Cooperation (Development Study and Project-type TechnicalCooperation etc.) requires implementation capacity of beneficiary countries, so far project type
technical cooperation has not been implemented in Niger. In view of the recent tendency of
harmonizing aid coordination, strengthening aid strategy and enhancing support to Africancountries under TICAD framework, integrated and strategic cooperation are now strongly
expected.
Table III.2 Major cooperation performance on agriculture and forestry
Start

ConcludeName of Project

1976

1977

Project for Enforcementof Transport Capacity

1978

Ongoing

Training Programmes

1980

1980

1981

1983

1984

1984

1984

Ongoing

Project for
Reinforcement of theTransportation
Agriculture
Development throughIrrigation in
Kourani-Baria
Project to Improve
Transportation Capacityof the Niger Food
OfficeType ofCooperation
Grant aid

Grant aid
Development
Study

Grant aid

Japan Overseas
Cooperation
Volunteers(JOCV)

55

OutlineProvision of vehicles for effective
transportation and distribution of goods
donated by development partners
including Japan. Plants for maintenance ofvehicles were included.
Initially, training on rice growing
technology has been conducted toadministrative and technical officials of
Niger.
In recent years, counterparts of JICA’s
cooperation are also attending training
courses on farmers’ organization, capacity
building of women and so on.
Planning on consolidation and expansionof transport system of agricultural
products. Vehicles were provided
F/S for the implementation of Irrigation
Development Project by AfDB.
For the support of OPVN's activities onfood security and of countermeasureagainst food crises of Niger, transport
vehicles were provided
At first, technical support of pests anddiseases control, selection of appropriate
varieties on rice, animal diseases control
and prevention, soil improvement had
been focused. Agriculture has big share in
number of JOCVs dispatched together
with education and health. Until 2001,
with share of 20% or 91 JOCVs have been
dispatched.

1985

1985

Enforcement ofTransport Capacity of
OPVN

Grant Aid

Vehicles for transportation of foodsupported by donors or procured within
the country were provided to OPVN.

1985

1985

Enforcement inequipment of ONAHA

Grant Aid

Strengthening ONAHA, the irrigation
authority of Niger, through procurementof equipment and machinery.

1985

1989

Study onAnti-Desertification
Measures

Basic Study2） (2) referred

1986

1986

Construction of Grain
Stock Warehouses in
Rural Areas

Grant Aid

1988

1989

Irrigation Development
for Agriculture in Ouna
Kouanza

Development
Study

1988

1989

Ouallam Rural
Infrastructure
Rehabilitation

Development
Study

Project for Grain Stock
Warehouses
Construction

Grant Aid

1989

1990

1989

1990

1990

1995

1990

1994

1993

2001

Project of Constructionof MaintenanceWorkshop of Engines
and Vehicles of
ONAHA
Study on AntiDesertification
Measures.
Project ofRehabilitation of Rural
Zone in Ouallam Plan
I・II・III
Project for thepromotion of
aforestation in
Kareye-Gorou

Grant Aid

Construction of workshop for construction
machinery and equipment for irrigation tostrengthen ONAHA’s function.

VerificationStudy2）(2) referred

Grant Aid

Well digging(shallow wells 35, composite
wells 65) and irrigation facilities andequipment

Team of
JOCV

2）(3) referred

1995

Project ofRehabilitation of Rural
Zone in Ouallam (Phase2)

Grant Aid

1995

1997

Project ofRehabilitation of Rural
Zone in Ouallam (Phase2)

Grant Aid

1996

2000

Study on AntiDesertification
Measures.

Technology
Development
Study

1994

Construction of 20 small scale grain
warehouses and related machineries in 2
prefectures for grain reserve and storage.
Size of 300m2 (including fertilizer
warehouse and grain mill) and capacity at
100t of Grain and 176t of fertilizers.
Planning of irrigation development for
agricultural and social development basedon the F/S conducted by Niger withFrance.
Planning of agricultural development
focused on drinking water and farming in
dry season in the area of Ouallam against
severe desertification.
Construction of grain warehouses for thefederation of cooperatives to store grains
and enforce its functions. (10 houses ofcapacity 100t, and 10houses of 200ｔ
each.) Threshers and flour mills attached.

56

Digging wells (shallow wells 10,composite wells 5) and provision ofvehicles equipped with drill, water wagon,compressors and other equipment for
irrigation.
Digging wells (shallow wells 35, deep
wells 5, and composite wells 60) and 11
small irrigation facilities for vegetable
growing in dry season and provision ofrelated machinery.
2）(2)referred

1997

1999

Study on Plan against
Desertification in
Tillaberi Region

Development
Study

Master Plan Study for prevention ofdesertification and integrated developmentof Tillaberi, center of agricultural
production in the country and densely
populated.

2001

Planning of Rural
Development

Dispatch ofexpertSupport to the revision of agricultural
policy of Niger, preparation of study planand table at the then Department ofPlanning and Research, guidance on
document preparation to the then Planning
Division and Inspection Divisions, anddata collection for rural development to
update the data base etc.

2004

2005

Planning of Rural
Development

Dispatch ofexpertExpansion of data base for ruraldevelopment, and strengthening theexecuting capacity of the Study andPlanning Department of the Ministry

2005

2009

Study on Sahel Oases
Development
Assistance for
Promotion of Food
Production
Assistance for
Underprivileged Farmer

Development
Study2）(1)referred

Grant Aid2）(6)referred

Grant Aid2）(5)referred

2000

Multi year
Implementation
Multi year
implementation

3. Major Agriculture and Forestry Projects and their Performance1) Study on Sahel Oases Development
For the effective use of small scale reservoirs constructed by the Special Program of the
President (PSRPN: Programme Special du President de la Republique du Niger), thegovernment of Niger requested the government of Japan in 2004 to implement the Development
Study on rural development in the surrounding areas of these small scale reservoirs for poverty
reduction and prevention of desertification. Preliminary survey was conducted to confirm therelevance of the Study and the Study started in November 2005 for the 4 year term.
The objectives of the Study were; ①to formulate Action Plan (A/P) to implement thecommunity-based rural development through utilization of small scale reservoirs, supported byadministration and NGOs and by farmer-to-farmer approach in the Study area, ②in the courseof the Study, to implement pilot projects for the capacity development of Nigerien counterpart
personnel as well as of the communities concerned. Target of the Study is those beneficiarycommunities located near the reservoirs in Tillaberi, Dosso, Tahoua, Maradi and Niamey CUN.
Among them, 4 reservoirs and their surrounding communities were selected for the Pilot Project(P/P) from the second year of the Study to confirm the validity of A/P and to grasp the issues tobe addressed for more practical A/P finalization. Outline of Pilot Project is shown in thefollowing Table.

57

Table III.3 Outline of the P/P of “Study on Sahel-Oases Development”
Activity

Enhancesupport tofarmers byadministration

Capacity development of field
extension officers (E/O)

Reservoir unit

System of informationcollection and sharing

Capacity
developmentonmanagementof reservoir
users

Capacity
developmenton project
managementof farmers
Incomegeneration

Support for organizing users’
association of reservoirs
Capacity development ofexecutives of association
Capacity development on
operation and maintenance(O/M) of reservoir
Establish system for informationexchange and extension among
beneficiaries
Support to organize farmers’group
Support to capacity
development of executive
members
1. Basic farming
techniques andpest/ disease
control
Improvecultivation
2. Introduction oftechniqueeco-farming
3. Introduction of
new varieties

Reservoir unit

Small scale integrated venture

Name of project
Strengthening the working
condition of field extension
officers

Village unit

Minimum package

Administrative unit

TargetUpgrading farm management
technique

Trials of NERICA rice
Aquaculture introduction trial
Capacity development on
operation and management ofirrigation system
Soil conservation

58

Contents
Provision of bikes and fuels
Upgrading facilitation andmanagement capacity of E/O,
Provision of various guidelines,
Estimation of available water inreservoir
Improving guidelines,
Monitoring sessions,Management committee,
Donors, NGOs information exchange
Support to set up users’ association
Support to capacity development ofexecutives
Support to capacity development on
simplified O/M methods
Support for extension of technology
between reservoir and village,
Holding workshops of association
with village level organizations
Support to set up farmers’organization
Training course for leaders,Training on preparation of request
form on village development plan
Support to acquire basic knowledge
on farming, pest and disease control
Support to acquire knowledge onwater saving technology in fruit tree
growing etc.
Demonstration of improved varietiesof pearl millet and sorghum
Method to obtain seed from their own
crops,
Joint purchase of equipment andmaterials,
Storage and shipment,
Risk management,Collection and use of priceinformation.
Support to introduce NERICA
Support to the introduction of inland
fisheries
Techniques on digging cement
irrigation well, pumping up by cattle,
improved pump operation andmanagement
Support on agro-forestry technology,
provision of equipment/ materials
requiredTargetActivity

Name of projectCountermeasures to damages ofreservoir caused by livestock
Income generation activities
Increase in literacy

Community
unit

Improvementof living
conditions

Incomegeneration

Health and hygiene

Contents
Establish community land committee.
clarification of the route for nomad,
establish land mark of boundary
Diversify income sources of farmers
Rearing teachers within village,
holding class for literacy
Campain on health and hygiene,
Hygiene on reservoirs’ water,
Introduction of simplified water
purification facility

Introduction of improved
kitchen stove

Saving fuel woods,
Reduction of female labor

Introduction of Rotational
Credit System(Ton- Chin)

Support to micro-finance introduction

As of now, only one year is left for the Study. A/P is to be finalized through various
monitoring activities. So far, following points are raised as practical achievements of P/P.
In the past, reservoirs were not systematically utilized, but through implementation of P/P, 3organizations, namely, reservoir beneficiary association, community land committee andcommunity development committee have been organized. With technical and management
support, these organizations realized sustainable and equitable use of productive resources suchas land and water of reservoirs with increased productivity and capacity of farmers in beneficiarycommunities has also increased. Without those solid rules and regulations on water use ofreservoirs on the sites, there may occur conflicts or disputes on land and water among farmers inquite near future because farmers living near the reservoirs are increasing in number. In addition,
many reservoirs constructed under PSPRN are facing the problems of accumulated sand andbreach of some facilities. These problems are to be tackled by the implementation of Action Plan
(A/P).
Achievements so far obtained are;At the site of one reservoir (Bourdi), 50 wells were dug for vegetable growing in dry season
as the anti-locust project. Association of reservoir’s beneficiary farmers, introduced by P/P,
decided, after consultation with Director of the Prefecture of MDA and field extension
officer, to collect fee from farmers who use these wells as the fund for association’s
operation and management.
At the site of the reservoir (Guidan Bado), inland fishery was introduced. On that occasion,association of reservoir established a three party’s partner relationship with Department of
the Prefecture of MDA and the municipality for the sustainable aquaculture development.
Through an appropriate management of aquaculture business by partnership, increased
income of farmers of the association and tax income for municipality are eagerly expected59mutually.
At the site of reservoir (Bourdi), association of reservoir’s beneficiary farmers, supported by
P/P, produced 3,000 seedlings of tree to plant near the reservoir for soil conservation. As it
was found not enough, the association requested support for additional 9,000 seedlings todonor agency by themselves.
Using the method of the “Projet Intrant” executed by FAO, shops for equipment andmaterials (Boutique des Intrants: BI) were opened. Associations of reservoir beneficiary,strengthened by P/P, could purchase materials and sell their products jointly through BI,
thus improved their farm management technique.
In communities around reservoirs, where Tontine (rotational micro-credit groups) wereformed, member farmers improved their access to credit. As they could obtain fund forincome generation activities, their income increased and their living conditions improved
very much.
In introducing associations of reservoir users, [self promotion] of individual farmers wasmuch encouraged. For regional development, things able to be done by each individual arevery much limited. Therefore, organizing farmers is important, but only organizing does notmake sense. Organization needs to function well. In the A/P, the sytem was introduced todecide all the process by members themselves, from selection of executive members,
analysis of current situation, consideration of coutermeasures, implementaion and operationand management to empahsise the importance of self consciousness that each individual is
the true actor of the regional development and engages in activities sustainably.
To ensure sustainability and efficiency of these achievements, A/P includes the partnership ofextension officers and local government agencies. In other words, in A/P, the role of extension
officers of Commune is much emphasized1, though Region, Prefecture and Commune offices ofthe MDA are expected as executing agencies. After the termination of support by JICA,
extension officers need to visit the sites of reservoirs and to participate in the regular rmeetings.
The cost of the extension officers for these activities need to be borne by the administrative side.
A/P needs, therefore, to include concerned Ministries and their branch office at local level for
the ways of information collection and sharing.
2) Anti-desertification projects
The former Japan Green Resources Agency (Currently merged to Japan International
Research Center for Agricultural Sciences: JIRCAS), has accumulated and diffusedtechnologies of agriculture and rural development and anti-desertification for poverty reduction
1

Currently, extension officers are mainly involved in survey of crop harvest forecast such as pearl millet
and sorghum and they have provided limited technical advice so far. Therefore, A/P includes contents to
expand capacity of extension officers to “listen, confirm and support planning” for tackling development
issues together with farmers.

60

in West Africa2 (Japan Green Resources Agency, 2000, p.2; MAFF website, 2003, p.32).
First of all, Basic Study on desertification of basin all along the Niger river was conducted tograsp and analyze the current situation of desertification with Niger River Basin Organization(ABN) and its 9 member countries from 1985 to 89. Based on the result, basic plan forprevention of desertification was prepared with future image of agriculture and ruraldevelopment. In line with this basic plan, verification study was conducted from 1990 to 1995 at
Magou village3 in Niger4. Through this verification study, conducted by participation of local
farmers, validity of various techniques against desertification was confirmed. To ensure more
broadly adaptability of these techniques, technology development study5 was conducted from1996 to 2000 in a row and its results was complied as technical manuals for prevention ofdesertification in Sahel 6 which includes both soft and hardware technologies. These
technologies have been applied not only in Niger, but also to Mali and Burkina Faso7.
3) JOCV activities in Kareye-Gorou
The activity of JOCV at Kareye-Gorou8, Kollo department, Tillaberi region has started fromthe “Project for the promotion of aforestation in Kareye-Gorou (1993-2001). In Kareye-Gorou,people had been facing serious problems of desertification such as erosion and sand dunes
movement which led to burying cropland. To settle sand dunes and to increase income of
farmers, agroforestry approaches including tree planting with farmers’ participation, vegetable/
fruits growing, marketing and reducing tree cutting by using improved cooking stoves havebeen taken (MFA, 2001, Topics 6). Since then, 3 experts and 33 JOCV in 4 professional titles
have been dispatched. As a result, tree planting of 300,000 seedlings, technologies on
production of better onion varieties and grafting of mango trees were well disseminated andcontributed much to the increased income and improved living standard of farmers.
Later on, these JOCV activities evolved into projects of JOCVs [Project for improvement ofliving conditions in Kareye-Gorou Phase I](2001-2005) and [Phase II](2005-2010). In theseprojects, JOCV members of various fields, such as community development, vegetable

2

Project supported by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan.
Located at 60km southeast of Niamey, verification field of 100ha was established.
4
It was verified that, by adoption of the corroborated technologies, increase in food and fuel wood
production to meet the needs of increasing population, and increase in animal feeds grass were possible.
These contents were summarized in [Model Plan for the Prevention of Desertification] covering whole
village of Magou (1,800ha).
5
The results of the Study on Plan for the Prevention of Desertification in Tillaberi region (1997-98) arealso incorporated.
6
Technical manuals consist of (i)Preparation of the plan, (ii)Fostering farmers’ organization, (iii)Water
resources development, (iv)Water resources utilization, (v)Soil conservation, (vi)Agriculture,(vii)Livestock, and (viii)Tree planting.
7“Study on Sahel Oases Development” in Niger, “Study of Prevention for Desertification in the SouthRegion of Segou”(2000-03), ”Study on the Capacity Building Programs for the Community-based
Prevention of Desertification in the South Region of Segou”(2004-08) in Mali, “Study on the System to
Alliviate the Land Degradation”(2000-2004) and its phase II(20004-2006) in Burkina Faso.
8
Stretching to 50km at the right bank of Niger river.
3

61

production, tree planting, nurses, primary school teachers, sociologists and others work in 39
villages, led by field coordinator under the common goal of [to contribute to the improvementof living and educational conditions of the rural people through enlightening and technology
transfer in various fields].
4) Grant Assistance for Underprivileged Farmers (ex-2KR)
Assistance by 2KR in Niger has started in 1982 under the recognition of importance tosupport the effort of developing countries to solve the problems of food shortages by themselves.
Until 1995, 2KR had been provided every year. Since then, in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004
and in 2006 it was provided with total amount of yen ¥8.68 Billion (E/N basis).
Table III.4

2KR performance (¥ Billion)

Year

82〜96
total

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

E/N
basis

6.2

0.54

0.44

-

0.40

0.50

-

-

0.30

-

0.30

Source: JICA, 2008, p.16

From 1997 to 2001, goods procured by 2KR consisted of fertilizers, agricultural chemicals
and agricultural machinery with respective share of 22%: 75%: 3% by dominate share of
agricultural chemicals. Since 2004, agricultural chemical has been excluded from the list of
goods to be procured by 2KR. In recent years (2006), urea, DAP and irrigation pumps were
procured by 2KR and distributed all over the country through Procurement/ Supply Center(Centrale d’Approvisionnement: CA) 9 and local offices of the Ministry of Agricultural
Development. In case of fertilizer, particular attention was paid to improve access of small scale
farmers in food insecure situation, by channeling distribution through local offices of theministry and BI (Boutique des Intrants, shops for equipment and materials). In selling these
fertilizers, priority was given to members of farmers’ organizations. On average, farmers
cultivate only 0.25-0.50 ha per family and many of them belong to farmers’ organization. Sales
price is decided by the Ministry and a management and monitoring committee for fertilizers,
taking into account the rising import price and also high domestic price, so as to ensure accessof small scale farmers (JICA, 2008, p.22).
Chronic shortage of fertilizer continues in Niger, and needs for fertilizer of 2KR wereconfirmed through field hearings of the survey conducted in 2008. As for irrigation pumps, 3
fields visited 10 during the survey revealed that, without irrigation and access to water,
agriculture would be practically difficult to continue in Niger, which clarifies importance of
irrigation pumps.
9

A public organization established in 1978 for the purposes of stable supply of agricultural equipment
and materials (fertilizers, chemicals, seeds and equipments) to farmers. Self-supporting accounting
system is applied and is supervised by the Ministry of Agricultural Development.
10
Cooperation of Seberi Irrigation District, Cooperation of Winde Beri Irrigation District, Cooperation ofN’dounga Irrigation District.

62

The effect of fertilizer for increasing productivity is shown in TableIII.5. Yield increase inpearl millet was 63%, while that of sorghum and rice were 40% and 125% respectively. Whilethe effect of fertilizer is well noted, soaring international price has brought about chronic
shortage of fertilizers in Niger. Fertilizers by 2KR contribute in solving this problem.
Table III.5 Effect of fertilizer application(unit: FCFA/ton)Fertilizer

Crops
Rice
DAP (18-46-0)
Pearl millet
Sorghum
Source: Ibid, 2008, p.16

Without fertilizer
2.00
0.40
0.40

With fertilizer
4.50
0.65
0.56

Increased yield
125%
63%
40%

In addition, using the counter-fund of 2KR, following projects were implemented11.
Table III.6 Performances of counter-fund use
Year
Purposes of use
1996
Audit to improve CA management
1997
Counter measures for poor farmers
1997
Support to Rice Cooperatives I
1998
Support to Rice Cooperatives II
1998
Procurement of Ag. Chemicals
1999
Bank charges
1999
Budgeting for Support to farmers
1999
Bank charges for export of animal products
2000
Support to the start of Animal Products Development Plan (PPEPA)
2003
Procurement of fertilizers and pumps
2007
Procurement of fertilizer
Total
Source: Ibid, 2008, p.30

Amount (FCFA)
17,550,000
323,087,586
80,336,499
50,336,499
100,000,000
9,619,724
144,539,622
1,565,476
21,000,000
393,882,832
400,000,000
1,541,918,238

In principle, counter-fund has been used for rural development and food production
promotion. In 2007, 3,500t of fertilizers were procured. Total committed amount in 2007 was
1.04 billon FCFA, and from which 0.4 billion FCFA was used for fertilizers (Ibid, 2008, p.23).
How to procure better quality of fertilizer stably is the theme of the future. Through the
distribution channel of CA, branch offices of the Ministry and BI, shortages of fertilizers forsmall scaled farmers need to be eradicated. In addition, more effective methods of fertilizer
application, including micro fertilizer application recommended by FAO, need to bedisseminated. At the end, during the above mentioned survey, a comment was provided byWorld Bank that improvement of monitoring after the sale/ distribution of fertilizers would be
conducive to grasp the effect of supplied fertilizers more precisely.

11

Regarding the reserve of the counter-fund of 2KR, as procured chemicals by 2KR were not sold inmarkets but mostly used for national pest control program, amount of reserve did not reach 100% until
2001. In 2004, reserve of the counter-fund reached to 100%, or 401,463,413 FCFA, the minimum
required amount. In 2006, the reserve reached to 95%or 370,000,000 FCFA, with remaining 5% expected
to be reserved soon.

635) Increase of Food Production (ex-KR: Kennedy Round)
KR food aid has been provided to solve the problem of food shortage in Niger. Started in
1997, assistance continues except the year 2001.
Table III.7 KR Performance, production and consumption of rice in Niger
E/N;¥0.1billion, others; 1000t (paddy)
AmountProcuredYear
Production Consumptionin E/N
quantity
1997
4.0
n.a.
73.8
1998
4.0
n.a.
58.6
1999
3.6
8.0
62.0
2000
3.0
9.0
60.5
133.6
2002
4.5
9.0
79.9
79.8
2003
3.5
7.0
57.0
212.0
2004
3.5
6.5
78.1
218.9
2005
4.1
8.0
59.9
232.9
2006
3.8
5.0
78.4
160.8
2007
5.0
n.a.
70.0
n.a.
Source: NAF website (2009b); TableII.8

6) Cooperation by NGOs, universities and others
In parallel to the increase of cooperation by the Government, cooperation by NGOs,
universities and others are gradually getting visible. NGOs such as AMURT Japan are
implementing support on emergency food aid and technical support to food security. Research
Agencies such as universities and JIRCAS are dispatching research scientists to Niger and their
many research results on dryland agriculture are being published12.

4. Needs in Enforcement of the Program Approach
As mentioned already, agriculture and forestry has been a priority sector in Japanesecooperation to Niger and many cooperation projects in this sector have been implemented.
Though the series of the cooperation projects implemented have been appropriate along with thechanging needs of those days, it seems difficult to find consistency and strategic perspectives.
From now on, for realizing more effective implementation of cooperation, consistency andstrategic implementation should be established in line with SDR of Niger. On November 2009,
the [Study on Sahel Oases Development], the central project in the field of agriculture will befinalized. Based on the expected results of the Study, initiation of next projects on effective
water resource utilization is being considered. For example, increased productivity by
12“Evaluation and utilization of genetic resources of leguminous plants feasible to be introduced toagro-pastoral regions in West Africa / Sahara region (in Japanese).”（Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Research Council Secretariat web site,2009a）, “Improvement of fertility of sandy soil in semi-arid tropicsof West Africa (in Japanese)”(Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council Secretariat web
site,2009b; Ibid, 2009c; Ibid.2009e). In addition, JIRCAS Commissioned Research “Documentation of
ILRI/JIRCAS Fakara daata sets”, collected in cooperation with ILRI (International Livestock ResearchInstitute) and ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics) (JIRCAS
website, 2007).

64intensification of agriculture in the irrigated areas and agriculture development throughcommunity development in the dryland areas may be among them. Utilizing accumulated
knowledge and experiences gained through implementation of the projects in the past, such as
prevention of desertification, integrated rural development, irrigated agriculture development,
etc., more strategic cooperation needs to be considered.
Table III.8

SDR themes and the relationship with Japanese cooperation

Theme Japanese government
Theme not committedcommitted
・ Local/ community development ・ Professional organizations and marketing (framework for
consultation among organizations)・ Natural resources management bycommunity
・ Professional organizations and marketing (Establishment ofprofessional organizations and their strengthening)・ Irrigation infrastructure
・ Professional organizations and marketing (Marketing of・ Safe water and sanitation
agriculture and animal products)
・ Natural hazard/crisis prevention
・ Professional organizations and marketing (Capacityand management
development of economic organization and encouragement
・ Health and nutritionof regional economic organization)
・ Increase income of the poorest
・Rural infrastructure on transportation and traffic
・ Protection of environment
・Rural infrastructure on communication
・ Irrigation development
・Rural infrastructure on electricity
・ Rehabilitation of land and・ Rural finance system
reforestation
・ Enforcement of legal system (Information sharing system
and knowledge of rural sector)
・ Development and stabilization of pastureland・ Kandadji (dam) development

65