Niger Invests Over $2.2 Million To Rehabilitate Irrigated Areas To Boost Rice Production, Create Jobs

The government of Niger has allocated over 1.4 billion CFA ($2.2 Million) to rehabilitate the Toula irrigation site in the Tillabéri region to enhance rice production and generate employment opportunities. The government also said it plans to rehabilitate three areas totalling 670 hectares in the Tillabéri region.

The project, launched on November 25, by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahaman Ousmane, is expected to create 2,500 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs for local populations.

The Toula site, established in 1974, covers 350 hectares but is currently only 70 per cent operational. The rehabilitation will enable year-round cultivation, boosting yields from the current average of 5 tons per hectare and strengthening food security in the region.

“This project reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to achieving food sovereignty and improving agricultural productivity,” Ousmane said.

The initiative is part of a broader programme to improve irrigation in Niger. By 2027, the government plans to develop 8,000 hectares of new irrigated land and restore 3,700 hectares of existing sites.

For 2024, the focus is on developing 2,000 hectares of new farmland and rehabilitating another 2,000 hectares.

Tillabéri has been identified as a key area for irrigation, with around 26,000 hectares of land suitable for development. Local officials and community leaders have expressed strong support for the project, emphasising its potential to improve food production and livelihoods.

The Minister encouraged local participation, urging young people to participate actively in implementing the project.

The Large-Scale Irrigation Programme aligns with President Brigadier General Abdourahamane Tchiani’s efforts to meet the challenges of food sovereignty of the Nigerien populations.

With this initiative, the government aims to not only enhance rice production but also provide decent and stable livelihoods for the people of Niger.

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