Agriculture Intensification and Ecologically Sustainable Land Use Systems in Niger: Transition from Traditional to Technologically Sound Practices

Abstract

ABSTRACT Increasing population pressure in Niger has increased demand for arable land leading to expansion of cropping into marginal land resulting in soil erosion and diminishing pasture, woodland and forest area which threatens ecosystem sustainability. Highly variable rainfall adds risk to crop production. Intensification of agriculture with adoption of sustainable, yield enhancing technologies is critical to the future development of all agroecological regions in Niger. Farm constraints analysis of crop productivity conducted in rainfed areas of the Niger by farmer surveys and on-farm experiments revealed that the major limitations to increased productivity were (1) low soil fertility and lack of fertilizer use, (2) limited organic manure availability, (3) low mineral nutrient use efficiency of crops when fertilizers were applied during soil moisture stress, (4) lack of high yielding varieties resistant to biotic and abiotic stresses, (5) practice of using low plant densities, (6) limited access to farm inputs, (7) lack of a marketing strategy, and (8) lack of adequate extension service to farmers. The use of improved technologies, such as fertilizer, improved varieties or hybrids, optimum plant density and water conservation technologies were shown to increase yields more than two-fold at the farm level. Key elements in a strategy to increase total crop production in Niger must include support from both the private and public sectors to promote more rapid acceptance of improved production technologies. This will require institutional modifications that enhance technology transfer, development of input delivery systems, improved policies of land tenure, availability of fertilizer, and improved policies that affect the input and output pricing structure.