The rural sector of Niger faces
insufficient rainfall, agricultural and forage deficits, degradation of natural
resources and negative externalities related to climate change. These
constraints are the main factors driving down agricultural productivity, resulting
in food shortages. The Djirataoua irrigated perimeter was created in the 1980s.
However, its exploitation follows several production models, mainly
conventional and the adoption of a few agroecological practices. Polyculture
systems play an important role in the production of food, both in quantity and
quality. It is practised by adopting various cropping systems and using
conventional and agroecological agricultural practices. This study aims to
evaluate the agroecological transition of polyculture farming practices in the
irrigated perimeter of Djirataoua. The methodology consisted of collecting
qualitative data by 14 focus groups with committees of the cooperative
societies and of the associations of irrigation water users, 14 individual
interviews with producers and resource persons in the perimeter and field
observations. The data were collected, synthesised and analysed on the basis of
the thirteen (13) qualitative agroecological principles. The study revealed
that several agroecological practices have been adopted as part of polyculture
on the Djirataoua irrigated perimeter. Producers have a good understanding of
the production cycles for most crops. Most of the seeds used are locally
produced. The results mainly show that several agroecological practices are
adopted in the development of the irrigated perimeter of Djirataoua. More than
69% of the agroecological principles defined by the High Level Panel Experts
are already well applied. Mixed farming is an ongoing source of wealth
creation. It has enabled women and young people to become financially
independent. Recycling and soil health are not priority issues, but require
improvements to ensure a dynamic and sustainable agroecosystem. Reducing
synthetic inputs is the priority issue that requires immediate intervention. In
this case, the transition will consist, initially, in the exclusive use and
application of approved chemical inputs at doses recommended by research
institutions. In a second phase, it will be based on a process of progressive
substitution of conventional inputs and practices with agroecological
alternatives.
Author(s)details:-
ADAM Mamadou
Département d’Economie, Sociologie Rurales et Transfert de Technologies
(DESR/TT), Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN),
Corniche Yantala, BP: 429, Niamey, Niger.
Please see the book
here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/asti/v6/6631
