Overpopulation and Agricultural Land Degradation in The Republic of Niger

Abstract

This paper aims to review and present relevant literature on the land degradation crisis in the Republic of Niger in order to recommend an appropriate policy objective. Unsustainable agricultural practices are responsible for the deforestation, desertification, and loss of soil fertility that constitute Niger’s land degradation crisis. The term “agricultural land degradation” is established to describe land degradation that is prompted almost entirely by agriculture. Overpopulation is the principal driving factor of agricultural land degradation in Niger. The strong presence of gender inequality in the nation contributes to this overpopulation crisis. Therefore, the author suggests increasing the time young women spend in school as a policy measure for combating agricultural land degradation in the Republic of Niger.