Irrigation and Market Access Project

Agriculture is at the heart of the Nigerian economy, representing more than 40% of the GDP and employing almost 80% of the working population. However, the country’s agricultural activities remain vulnerable to climate change (especially during periods of increased drought) and farmers are struggling to meet the food needs of a growing population. Despite the great progress made by Niger over the past decade, the rate of extreme poverty is still very high, at over 40%.

The project aims to increase the farming activities’ productivity and profitability in the rehabilitated hydro-agricultural facilities of Konni (2,452 hectares) and in the new facilities of Sia-Kouanza in the commune of Tanda (2,618 hectares), in order to improve the economic and social situation of the population, in particular women and youth.

Capacity Building of Cooperatives and Producers’ Associations

We support the emergence of strong, independent and viable cooperatives and producers’ associations with good governance and the capacity to sustainably provide quality services to their members. The project provides these organizations with technical assistance and inputs, while ensuring the improvement of post-harvest food management, product storage and marketing, in order to increase the producers’ productivity and income.

Increase in Production Capacity

We support the populations of the targeted areas to help them increase their agricultural production so that they can improve their food security and better adapt to an open and competitive market system. The project facilitates the adoption of improved farming practices, the use of new low-cost technologies and the emergence of a diversified, high-value-added agriculture. Our activities also include support for planning the production taking into account the market demand.

Improved Natural Resources Management

We contribute to improving the sustainable and integrated management of natural resources at the community and farm levels. The project allows for the implementation of proven methods such as agroecology, conservation agriculture, assisted natural regeneration, as well as management and monitoring of the environment at the community level. 

Economic Empowerment

This component of the project includes capacity-building activities on the management of a farm’s commercial and financial affairs, as well as information campaigns enabling producers to perceive their work as an entrepreneurial activity. We facilitate access to financing for producers and farmers’ organizations through a grant fund and through the establishment of savings groups for women. By improving literacy and numeracy rates, the project helps the participants to better respond to their own needs – nutritional and financial in particular. In addition, an engagement strategy is implemented to arouse the interest of young people and get them to engage in profitable and viable economic activities in the farming and agrifood sectors.