ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

Best-bet technologies in West and Central Africa
A. Niger
1. The context
The challenges faced by Niger in the area of land degradation and biodiversity conservation are enormous. Over the
years water and wind erosion have caused land degradation, soil crusting and low soil fertility, which adversely
affect crop yields and food production, thereby impacting negatively on the livelihoods of the rural communities. In
addition there is considerable loss of tree population on the plateau and of biodiversity as a consequence of land
degradation. For example, the loss of vegetation cover (ligneous and herbaceous) in one of the DMP benchmark
sites in Koure is adversely affecting the survival of the last giraffes of West Africa.
Failure to address this problem of land degradation and loss of biodiversity may lead to the following:
• Decimation of the population of giraffes (about 170 heads presently);
• Famine and loss of livestock by the human inhabitants at the project site through degraded crop field and
rangeland;
• Loss of carbon sequestration from poor growth of trees and overexploitation of forests for wood and other forest
products;
• Increased vulnerability to poverty and climatic shocks by the communities because more than 80% of the
population depends on this environment for their livelihood. The famine in Maradi region (the second DMP site)
in 2005 is a good example.
2. Description of the technology/strategy
To address the problems described above, DMP-GEF Niger has opted to use three major technologies/strategies:
• Management and value addition for the giraffe region of Kouré, western Niger
• Land degradation control using water harvesting techniques for the production of trees and pastures
• Use of fertilizer microdosing techniques and “warrantage” credit system to improve soil fertility and increase the
income of rural communities
2.1. Management and valorization of the giraffe region of Kouré, western Niger
This technology is based on various component technologies tested separately, but put together under the DMP-GEF
Niger for the Kouré site to address a complex problem of protecting the giraffes through better management of land
and human environment.
2.1.1. The basis of the technology’s success
The plateaus of western Niger have been a test ground for more than 30 years for the plantation of native trees to
improve the tiger bush status. These studies were based on the understanding of water redistribution in a tiger bush
system, the mechanisms of tree bands establishment to form tiger bush, and the use of man made structures (halfmoons,
trenches, etc.) to improve water storage and reduce run off. There is also a need to reduce competition
between wild animals (giraffes) and human (crop land, forest use for fuel and cash) to enhance success. In addition,
the giraffes represent an important source of income for local population through tourism.
2.1.2. How is it implemented?
The implementation strategy focused on planting trees on the plateaus and in specific areas (arboreta) to provide
fodder for the giraffes and fuel wood/other forest products for the inhabitants of the region. It also includes the
conservation of water sources (both on the plateaus and in the Dallols) for the giraffes to remain in the site even
during dry months but also serves as fishing grounds for the local people and nesting places for migrating birds. To
complete the strategy, to prevent encroaching farmland on the forest land (common in extensive agriculture),
improvement of soil fertility in cropped land is achieved by the use of both mineral and organic fertilizer
(microdosing+warrantage) for increased crops production and increased income.
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