Thus in presenting the viewpoint of farmers in Western Niger, the present study supplements on-station research into spatial crop growth and soil microvariability. The objective was to learn about farmers' knowledge and perceptions, and their strategies for managing crop growth and soil microdifferences. The study consisted of a combination of a field survey, conducted from June through October 1992, and a literature search of baseline studies carried out in the same region. The farmers' responses are discussed on the basis of the published literature. A total of 29 households were surveyed, all of which are engaged in a variety of activities, including agriculture, livestock, commerce, crafts and off-season labour.
Most households keep sheep, goats, and occasionally cattle, but the use of animal traction is rare.
Most of the cropping budget is spent on hiring manpower for weeding. Additional cash income is earned through off-farm activities such as crafts, trade or temporary migration to neighbouring countries. During the dry season, hay from pulses and grasses is sometimes used to enrich the millet stover diet of the livestock. In our study, farmers gave different explanations for spatial crop growth variability, which they believe is linked to differences in soil type. These are small elevations and depressions in close proximity to one another, which farmers attribute to differences in soil fertility caused by wind erosion.