Problem of the Profitability of Irrigated Agriculture in the Sahel Environment: Case of Producers of the Konni Hydro-Agricultural Development

Abstract

In Niger, a poor and arid country in West Africa, irrigated agriculture is undoubtedly the means with the greatest chance of ensuring food and nutritional security, increasing incomes and therefore reducing poverty, especially in rural areas. This research aims to analyze the profitability of irrigated agriculture at the level of the hydro-agricultural development of Konni. The methodological approach adopted is based on the method of “Rapid Participatory Diagnosis and Planning of actions to improve the performance of irrigated perimeters (DPRP)”. The documentary research made it possible to capitalize on the information available on the question. The collection of primary data in the field was carried out using questionnaires and interview guides submitted to actors directly or indirectly involved in the management of Konni’s AHA, taken individually or in focus group discussions. The data collected was processed with SPSS software to be analyzed and graphically illustrated with the Excel spreadsheet. The performance analysis made it possible to identify yields and constraints to the development of irrigated agriculture. The results show that on the Konni perimeter, there is a general trend towards a reduction in areas both in SS and in SH, with higher development rates in SH (80% to 90%), whereas they are very low in SS (8% to 25%). The main crops favored by Konni producers are onions, tomatoes, cabbage, corn and sorghum. Onion and tomato crops are more important sources of income than dune crops. In this context, the main challenges to be met for a better profitability of irrigated agriculture concern the socio-economic context of production, insufficient financing of infrastructures and their maintenance, small areas often below the break-even point, environmental degradation.