1. Rural Land Degradation
Integrated Development in Niger

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM
Cont
The area has been affected by severe droughts in and
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

7. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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?
What were some of the outcomes of the project?

22. INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM

26. INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM

30. INSPIRE AND TRANSFORM