Introduction

Niger boasts vast expanses of arable land, offering significant potential for improving its food resilience amidst the challenges of climate change. Spanning an area of 1,267,000 km2 with an estimated population of approximately 26 million, Niger comprises eight (8) regions, each endowed with diverse and substantial agricultural capabilities. Unlocking the agricultural potential across these regions holds the key to minimizing the adverse effects of climate change while bolstering resilience.

Unlocking Irrigation Potential in Key Regions

To bolster food resilience, it is imperative to harness the agricultural potential, particularly in areas rich in shallow water resources, across Niger. Notable regions include:

Dosso Region:

Departments such as Loga, Doutchi, Birni N’gaouré, and Gaya in the Dosso region offer extensive opportunities for irrigated crops.

Zinder Region:

Areas within the departments of Matameye, Mirriah, and Magaria in the Zinder region boast significant irrigable potential.

Maradi Region:

Communities like Djirataoua in the Madarounfa department, Maradi region, abound in groundwater resources conducive to agriculture.

Agadez Region:

The Irhazer and Bilma regions within the Agadez territory host abundant oases suitable for year-round irrigated cultivation.

Diffa Region:

Regions like Komadougou in Diffa are rich in phreatic water, fostering agricultural productivity.

Tillabéri Region:

The Balleyara department in Tillabéri harbours ample arable land, the sustainable exploitation of which could ensure food sovereignty.

By developing these areas and their potential, Niger can not only meet its own food needs, but also become an agricultural exporter in the sub-region and beyond, particularly in citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, limes, mangoes, tangerines). , grapefruit, watermelon, pineapple, papaya… etc); in cereals (durum wheat, rice, corn, millet, sorghum, etc.); in tubers (sweet potato, ginger, cassava, potato, taro, yam, etc.); in vegetable products (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, green beans, carrots, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, onions, cabbage, squash, basil, coriander, thyme, rosemary, mint, sage, parsley, chives, tarragon, okra…etc., which are highly coveted products internationally.

Regarding livestock, it was enough to create ranches by recruiting qualified technicians and involving local populations. Thanks to this, Niger could become an exporter of quality meat, skin and milk. By diversifying activities in the long term, the creation of agro-food industries will make it possible to transform and package products derived from livestock farming in large quantities, notably cheese and curdled milk among others.

Conclusion

With political will and unwavering commitment from the Nigerien population, Niger can mitigate the impacts of climate change by taking charge of the agriculture and livestock sectors:

–       By appropriating and enhancing spaces;

–          By recruiting and/or deploying technicians by providing them with resources, in particular, modern agricultural machines and livestock management tools

–          By rehabilitating ONAHA which was already an existing structure with sufficient experience in the agricultural field;

–          By promoting agriculture and livestock specialisations in the country’s vocational training schools and universities.

By relying on these enormous potentials, Niger can not only be self-sufficient in food but also contribute to economic development to thus create the means for its adaptation to climate change.