Rural Land Degradation Integrated Development in Niger

Niger Project was established to help the Tuareg ethnic group in Niger Tuareg are semi-nomadic pastoralists whose methods have barely changed for centuries They have suffered increased hardship recently due to loss of livestock

Niger This was a result of drought, rising population, desertification and the encroachment of settled agriculture

The Focus of the Project The focus of the project was in an area north east of Abalak It is an area of semi-arid grasslands Annual rainfall of 250mm Three fossilised valleys dissect the region, each with an intermittent river during the rainy season

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM Cont The area has been affected by severe droughts in 1993-94 and 1997-98 Most of the soils are loose, sandy and retain very little moisture The soils on the floodplains of the valleys have a higher clay content and are agriculturally viable Large areas of natural forest have died out since 1984

The result is that the soil is exposed, erosion has followed and any natural regeneration of the forest is impeded by animals Herbaceous plant species found in the area provide excellent fodder but locals have reported the disappearance of about 12 species since 1984 The principal products of the Tuaregs’ animal husbandry are milk, cheese, leather, skins and meat

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM Aims of the Project Establishment of fixation points – fixed areas where the Tuareg can spend most of the year The aim being to provide the population with the ability to improve, manage and use the available natural resources and survive droughts and famines

Cont Secondary to this is the hope that fixation points will provide the opportunity to develop and integrate improved education and health services, while still retaining local culture and tradition This is not sedentarisation i.e. the permanent settlement of people in one place

cont The Tuareg still migrate, but the fixation point develops a central area where they already spend the majority of the year

Methods Used Introduction of stone lines Creation and repair of well – five of each Cutting and selling of deadwood – must be sustainable Migration during the rainy season is encouraged Training in production of mud bricks – reduces reliance on wood

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM Methods Better quality breeds of livestock introduced – herd sizes are reduced Economic diversification – herding alone cannot support the population – long term goal Pasture management – fencing off high quality pasture Afforestation Provision of tools and seeds – alternative food

Outcomes 2500 people have benefited directly from the project as well as the same number indirectly Stone lines have led to regeneration of some of the herbaceous plants, and the cultivation variety of crops Food supply is now more diverse and reliable

Outcomes Afforestation as a result of the seeding nurseries Stronger community approach to the problems facing the Tuareg is developing Traditional attitudes towards herd sizes are changing – seeing the benefit of smaller, better quality herds Additional income gained allows children to go to school

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM Outcomes Rate of change is very slow due to the depth of the Tuaregs’ traditions and culture Conflicts have been experienced between the Tuareg and other ethnic groups e.g. the Fulani, who are moving into the area because of the widespread problems of rural land degradation in Niger Project still reliant on outside agencies

Integrated Development in Niger What are some of the problems that Niger faced which led to the need for the project? 5 What were the aims of the project? 2 What methods were used to meet the aims? 4 What were some of the outcomes of the project? 4

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM

INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM