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Conflict management is a key building block of forest governance; it has received little or no consideration in most of the ongoing governance reforms in the Niger Republic. Understanding and finding the means to deal with conflicts related to the utilization of forest resources became an important research area under the Governance for Sustainable Forests related to the livelihoods programme. The study aims to examine the nature and form of conflicts over Bakabé, Dan Kanda and Kandamo classified forest resources in the Maradi Region. Data were collected through literature review, questionnaires and focus group discussions within villages around classified forests. The method of analysis applied involves descriptive and inferential statistics (Chi-square test). The research identified major types of conflicts as a farmer - farmer, pastoralists - farmers and agro-pastoralists; conflicts between farmers and village chiefs and conflicts between local communities and the forestry departments. There was a significant difference in the frequency of conflicts between seasons around Bakabé and Dan Kada classified forests with χ2-values of 15.53 and 9.20 which are all significant at 0.05 level. There is no significant difference in the frequency of conflicts between seasons in the Kandamo classified forest because the forest is not subjected to cropland contract. The effectiveness of both the traditional and modern mechanisms of protection is generally weak, with huge implications for sustainable development. There is a need for government at all levels to prioritize the management of conflicts over classified forests so that there will be a sustainability of crops and livestock productionConflicts for better livelihoods in the rural communities. La gestion des conflits est un élément clé de la gouvernance forestière; il n’a reçu que peu ou pas de considération dans la plupart des réformes de gouvernance en cours en République du Niger. Comprendre et trouver les moyens de faire face aux conflits liés à l’utilisation des ressources forestières est devenu un domaine de recherche important dans le cadre du programme Gouvernance pour des forêts durables lié au programme de moyens de subsistance. L’étude vise à examiner la nature et la forme des conflits sur les ressources forestières classées bakabé, Dan Kanda et Kandamo dans la région de Maradi. Les données ont été recueillies au moyen d’une revue de la littérature, de questionnaires et de discussions de groupe dans les villages autour des forêts classées. La méthode d’analyse appliquée implique des statistiques descriptives et inférentielles (test du chi carré). La recherche a identifié les principaux types de conflits comme agriculteur - agriculteur, pasteurs - agriculteurs et agro-pasteurs; conflits entre agriculteurs et chefs de village et conflits entre les communautés locales et les départements forestiers. Il y avait une différence significative dans la fréquence des conflits entre les saisons autour des forêts classées Bakabé et Dan Kada avec des valeurs χ2 de 15,53 et 9,20 qui sont toutes significatives au niveau de 0,05. Il n’y a pas de différence significative dans la fréquence des conflits entre les saisons dans la forêt classée de Kandamo parce que la forêt n’est pas soumise à un contrat de terres cultivées. L’efficacité des mécanismes de protection traditionnels et modernes est généralement faible, avec d’énormes implications sur le développement durable. Il est nécessaire que le gouvernement à tous les niveaux donne la priorité à la gestion des conflits sur les forêts classées afin qu’il y ait une durabilité des cultures et de la productivité du bétail pour de meilleurs moyens de subsistance dans les communautés rurales

This article presents a typology of peri-urban farms in Tahoua region in Niger. It concerns also peri-urban households distributed according to the agro-ecological zones of this region. The results were obtained investigations carried out in five villages with 21 heads of household per village, which gives 105 heads of households located in urban communes of the Tahoua region. From the analysis of the results, the issues of urbanization in the rural sector, marital status, level of education, the capacity of granaries, the different food productions, the workforce and the composition in TBU per peri-urban areas emerge and agroecological. The Study will establish a diagnosis of these areas present around the secondary cities of Tahoua. The tests of normality and equality of variances allowed us to establish an ANOVA between peri-urban agro-ecological zones.

This paper presents a typology of peri-urban farming households in the Tahoua region of Niger. These farms are managed by peri-urban households distributed according to the agroecological zones of this region. The results were obtained from surveys conducted in five villages with 21 heads of household per village, giving 105 heads of household located in the urban communes of the Tahoua region. The objective of this paper is to highlight, through the analysis of the results, the issues of urbanization of the rural sector, marital status, level of education, granary capacity, different food productions, labor force, and composition in the peri-urban areas of the emerging and agro-ecological UBT. The study will establish a diagnosis of these areas around the secondary cities of Tahoua. The tests of normality and equality of variances allowed us to establish an ANOVA between the agroecological and emergent peri-urban zones. A high percentage of household heads have been found to be illiterate. It stands for peri-urban agricultural, agro-pastoral, and pastoral areas at 55%, 45%, and 43% respectively. Finally, the demographic pressure of the peri-urban agropastoral zone causes a decrease in the average surface areas of the plots.

Agro-silvo-pastoral productions occupy an important place in the economy of Niger. Agricultural activities, however, take place in difficult conditions, which intensifies the issue of gender inequality. In the regions of Maradi and Zinder, this inequality stems from a set of factors that disadvantage women. Yet, women contribute over 50% to meeting the household’s food needs in Niger. It is therefore important to question what are the initiatives facilitating women’s access to and control of land. Thus, one of the main challenges to women’s progress remains access to land. This article analyzes women’s access to land-related strategies in the regions of Maradi and Zinder. Two villages in the region of Maradi (Dan Dadi and Foura Guirké) and two others in the Zinder region (Garin Tamdji and Kaouri Touareg) served as data collection sites. The qualitative method was the one used in data collection (through the semi-structured interviews) as well as in their analysis (through triangulation). The outcome of the study provided results that indicate that socio-cultural constraints limit the initiatives developed to promote women’s access to land. Thus, the sustainability of the control of land by woman passes through a community solution and on the basis of a consensus that will have a guarantee from the customary and administrative authorities to give it a certain legitimacy.

Goudoumaria is located in the extreme south east of Niger and is part of ecological zones with strong climatic constraints especially rainfall. It is characterized by a strong spatio-temporal variability. The objective of this study is to identify the irregular nature of its distribution overtime that influences agropastoral activities. The results reveal rainfall interannual variability, its concentrations from June to September, a late start and early end and a downward trend. These results lead to a good understanding of rainfall evolution in the study area

Keita region is largely dependent on agriculture and livestock as the main economic activities with about 90% of the population are actively engaged in rural activities. However, these activities are dwindling at a rate that corresponds with increase in the ecosystem’s vulnerability. The following study focused on land use/land cover change in Keita. The study aims to better understand changes through diachronic analysis by integrating remote sensing and GIS. There was an interpretation of satellites imagery (1975, 1984, 1995 and 2001), and statistical techniques were used to provide quantitative analysis of land use/cover change information and drivers underlying in the study area. The changes are affected by simultaneous influence of successive droughts (1973-1974 and 1983-1984) that have transformed ecological balance, anthropogenic and livestock impacts, ecosystems degradation and policies. The land use temporal dynamics are undergone continual degradation of vegetation, the state of land saturation results in conflicts between farmer and herders, the drop in grazing areas, bare land expansion, the erosion of stream bed, and the decline in flooded plain.

Desertification in Niger is set in a context of poverty and rapid population growth, but significant advances have been achieved in natural resource management, in particular the wide and growing adoption of assisted natural regeneration of woody vegetation on farmland (regeneration naturel assiste, or RNA). Some 250,000 ha of degraded land have been rehabilitated, from 3 to 5 million hectares may be within the reach of improved management, and earth satellite images show ‘regreening’. The evolution of Niger’s anti-desertification strategy since 1960 is summarized. The 1980s were pivotal years in which power was decentralized to local communities and institutions. The governance of natural resources in central southern Niger is reviewed and the results of surveys in Zinder Region are presented. The linkages between RNA and development are explored and the findings of the study contextualized in the dynamics of regional growth. It is concluded that while the new techniques have potential for reducing poverty and for sustainable natural resource management (NRM), they cannot alone solve the challenge of a rapidly growing population.

The Ader Doutchi Maggia in Niger, as with other Sahelian zones, undergoes a process of climatic deterioration, which combines with the growing social and economic needs of the increasing population and causes a general economic crisis. Land degradation due to biophysical factors requires that priority action is given to land reclamation and soil conservation and to activities intended to increase agricultural production. This paper takes a look at socio-economic and established factors affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology (SWCT) in Keita valley, a semi-arid area in the central of Niger. Well-designed questionnaire survey on key agents was used to gather the indispensable data from farm ménages. The binary dichotomous logistic regression model prognosticated six factors to be affecting the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita. These variables cover the gender of the respondent, age of the household’s head, income evolution within the family, small craft referring to off farm income, training provides by local institutions, use of credit and, possession of full rights on land and its resources. The results revealed that diffusion of adoption from local organized community is a good alternative to increase the adoption of soil and water control technology in Keita valley agriculture system in Niger. Researchers and policy makers should conceive proper strategies and agenda reflecting the farmers’ interest, position and restriction in advocating new technologies for greater assumption and adoption by the farmers.

Au Niger, la production de niebe est affectee par des contraintes biotiques et abiotiques. Les objectifs de la presente etude sont d’identifier les insectes et parasites au cours de la phenologie des varietes ameliorees et locale de niebe ; d’estimer les pertes en graines et en valeur monetaire dues aux ravageurs. Les donnees ont ete collectees a travers un suivi des parcelles paysannes. L’echelle standard de William (1984) a ete utilisee pour les calculs de gravites d’attaques et de pertes. L’analyse de la variance (ANOVA) a ete utilisee pour cette etude. Les resultats montrent que les parcelles de niebe etudiees ont enregistre les attaques de 8 insectes et 7 parasites. Ces ravageurs sont abondants a tous les stades du cycle de la culture. La variete locale a enregistre significativement la plus grande gravite d’attaque (66,25% pour les insectes et 69,43% pour les parasites). La variete IT98K-205-8 a connu la plus faible gravite (12,35% pour les insectes et 16,36% pour les parasites). La plus grande perte (355,42 kg/ha, soit 142 168 FCFA) a ete notee au niveau de la variete locale et la plus petite perte (99,14 kg/ha, soit 39 656 FCFA) a ete enregistree chez la variete IT98K-205-8. Mots cles : Niebe, contraintes de production, perte economique, Niger.

This article examines two projects concerned with livestock production in the Dakoro region of Niger. It highlights the results obtained in the management of conflicts between livestock producers and crop farmers, and in the reduction of health risks by promoting the involvement and accountability of livestock producer associations in project activities. The collaboration of local stakeholders is an initiative and a local knowledge-sharing opportunity to promote peaceful conflict resolutions in the context of high land pressure and competing agro-pastoral land use. Such institutional, technical and social initiatives improve participatory governance and legitimise decisions at the grassroots level. They have made a significant contribution to prompting social change and to setting the scene for better security for mobile pastoral systems. L’article examine les expériences de deux projets relatifs à l’élevage dans le département de Dakoro au Niger (Projet SAREL : « Sécurité alimentaire renforcée par l’élevage » et PASEL : « Projet d’appui au secteur de l’élevage »). Il met en évidence les résultats atteints dans la gestion des conflits entre agriculteurs et éleveurs et dans la réduction des risques sanitaires à travers l’implication et la responsabilisation des associations d’éleveurs dans la mise en œuvre des activités de projets. Ce partenariat entre acteurs à l’échelle locale constitue une initiative et un espace de production de connaissances et de savoirs locaux dans le règlement pacifique des conflits dans un contexte marqué par la haute pression foncière et un usage concurrentiel de l’espace agro-pastoral. Ces innovations institutionnelles, techniques et sociales améliorent la gouvernance participative et légitiment les décisions à l’échelle locale. Elles ont contribué significativement à l’émergence d’un changement social et d’un début de sécurisation des systèmes pastoraux mobiles. Este artículo examina las experiencias de dos proyectos sobre la ganadería en la provincia de Dakoro, en Níger (SAREL: seguridad alimentaria reforzada por la ganadería y PASEL: el proyecto de apoyo al sector de la ganadería). Destaca los resultados obtenidos en la gestión de los conflictos entre agricultores y ganaderos, y la reducción de los riesgos sanitarios mediante la implicación y la responsabilización de las asociaciones de ganaderos en la puesta en marcha de las actividades de esos dos proyectos. Esta colaboración entre partes interesadas a escala local constituye una iniciativa y un espacio de producción de conocimiento y de saberes locales en la solución pacífica de conflictos en un contexto marcado por la alta presión territorial y un uso en competencia del espacio agro-pastoral. Estas innovaciones institucionales, técnicas y sociales mejoran la gobernanza participativa y legitiman las decisiones a escala local. Han supuesto una importante contribución a la emergencia de un cambio social y son al inicio de una mayor seguridad de los sistemas pastorales móviles.

Goulbi Maradi valley is a temporary flow stream with a basin containing great agro-ecologic potentials. However, this potential is dwindling at a rate that corresponds with increase in the ecosystem’s vulnerability. This study is focused on a part of this basin, an area of about 2600km 2 . The aim of this study is to better understand land use/cover change through diachronic analysis by integrating remote sensing and GIS. Visual interpretation of satellites imagery (1972, 1986, and 2001), field works, technical and survey data were used to provide quantitative analysis of Land Use/Cover change information and its greatest drivers in the study area. The changes become more and more important under simultaneous influence of successive droughts (1973-1974 and 1983-1984) that have disrupted ecological balance, anthropogenic and animal impacts, ecosystems degradation and politico-institutional policies. In fact, the land use temporal dynamics are characterised by the continual degradation of vegetation, the complete state of land saturation (resulting in conflicts between farmer and herders), the narrowing of grazing areas, bare land expansion, the bank erosion of stream bed, the decline in flooded plain and precariousness of flooding surface of the study area.

Environment and agrarian systems of dry-season farming in the region of Boboye (Niger). A study undertaken on a regional level has shown that agricultural pressure on the land and the progressive rarefaction of land ressources constitute the phenomena that affect the whole of Boboye. Connection to the land and the management of space and their resources appear today as the strongest points of the dynamics of agrarian systems. This one can be analysed through dry season farming, which teaches us the recent developments and their actual blocking. In the domain of dry-season farming, the links to the land are individualized by the distribution of low lying lands, where this activity is practiced. The diversity of landed status weakened the notion of 'family patrimony' to the benefit of personal relat ionships that are established between an individual and a clearly restricted portion of space/land. Gardening depends on individual strategies wherein everyone exercises his activities in an autonomous way. In a production system that is marked by an almost chronic food deficit the possession of a garden, by the possibilities it offers, constitute generally a considerable advantage and can, consequently, orientate the farmer towards appropriate strategies. But the link with gardening has evolved : if the social function still remains, no matter how limited it is, relationship with low-lying lands have become today essentially economic ones. Gardening is in the final analysis a factor that permits to identify a category of farmers, who, without being in an enviable agricultural situation, benefit from some relative advantages when compared to the rest of the farmers. This gap can be insignificant, but it is susceptible of involving future perspectives much more different for all., Une analyse, menée à l’échelle régionale, a montré que la pression agricole sur l’espace et la raréfaction progressive des ressources en terres constituent des phénomènes qui touchent l’ensemble du Boboye. Le rapport à la terre et la gestion de l’espace et de ses ressources apparaissent donc aujourd’hui comme des points forts de la dynamique des systèmes agraires. Celle-ci peut être analysée par le biais des cultures de contre-saison, qui nous renseignent sur l’évolution récente et sur ses blocages actuels. Dans le cadre des cultures de contre-saison, les rapports à la terre sont individualisés par la distribution de terres de bas-fond, où se pratiquent cette activité. La diversité des statuts fonciers affaiblit la notion de «patrimoine familial» au profit de liens singuliers qui s’établissent entre un individu donné et une portion de l’espace nettement circonscrite. Le jardinage relève de stratégies individuelles où chacun exerce ses activités de façon autonome. Dans un système de production marqué par un déficit vivrier quasi-chronique, la possession d’un jardin, par les possibilités qu’il offre, constitue généralement un avantage considérable et par conséquent peut orienter les stratégies. Mais le lien avec le jardinage a évolué : si la fonction sociale demeure, si minime soit-elle, les relations avec les terres de bas-fond sont devenues aujourd’hui des rapports essentiellement économiques. La pratique du jardinage est en fin de compte un facteur qui permet d’identifier une catégorie d’agriculteurs, qui, sans être dans une situation agricole enviable, bénéficie d’avantages relatifs par rapport au reste des exploitations. Cet écart peut être faible, mais il est susceptible d’impliquer des perspectives d’avenir bien différentes pour tous., Yamba Boubacar,Bouzou Moussa Ibrahim,Boureima Amadou. La dynamique des systèmes agraires dans le sud-ouest nigérien : le cas des cultures de contre-saison dans la région du Boboye. In: Pratiques de gestion de l’environnement dans les pays tropicaux. VIe Journées de Géographie Tropicale du Comité National de Géographie. Commission «Espaces Tropicaux et leur Développement». Talence, 6-8 septembre 1995. Bordeaux : Presses Universitaires de Bordeaux, 1997. pp. 295-309. (Espaces tropicaux, 15)