Executive Summary
Niger is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, facing recurrent droughts, land degradation, desertification, and food insecurity. More than 80% of the population depends on rainfed agriculture and pastoralism, making livelihoods highly sensitive to climate variability. Degraded soils, declining tree cover, and erratic rainfall have reduced agricultural productivity and increased poverty, migration, and conflict over natural resources.
This proposal presents a Land Restoration and Agroforestry for Climate Resilience Program in Niger, aimed at restoring degraded lands, enhancing ecosystem services, and strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods through agroforestry and sustainable land management. The project will promote farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR), climate-smart agroforestry systems, soil and water conservation practices, and community-based governance of natural resources.
By empowering smallholder farmers, pastoralists, women, and youth, the initiative will improve food security, increase carbon sequestration, and build long-term resilience in fragile dryland ecosystems. The project aligns with Niger’s national climate strategies, the Great Green Wall Initiative, and global commitments on land degradation neutrality and climate adaptation.
Background and Context
Niger lies largely within the Sahelian and Saharan zones, characterized by low and highly variable rainfall, high temperatures, and fragile ecosystems. Over the past decades, population growth, deforestation, overgrazing, and unsustainable farming practices have accelerated land degradation. Climate change has intensified these pressures through more frequent droughts and extreme weather events.
Despite these challenges, Niger has demonstrated the potential of agroforestry and land restoration. Farmer-managed natural regeneration has successfully restored millions of hectares of farmland, improving soil fertility, crop yields, and household incomes. However, large areas of degraded land remain, and many communities lack access to technical support, finance, and secure land tenure to scale up these practices.
This project builds on local knowledge and proven approaches to expand land restoration and agroforestry at scale, while strengthening institutions and market linkages to ensure sustainability.
Problem Statement
Land degradation and climate change pose severe risks to livelihoods and ecosystems in Niger:
- Widespread soil degradation and desertification reducing agricultural productivity
- Loss of tree cover and biodiversity weakening ecosystem services
- High vulnerability to droughts and climate shocks among smallholders and pastoralists
- Limited adoption of sustainable land management practices due to capacity and resource constraints
- Gender and youth exclusion from land restoration decision-making and benefits
Without urgent and coordinated action, land degradation will continue to undermine food security, resilience, and development gains.
Project Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To enhance climate resilience, food security, and livelihoods in Niger through land restoration and agroforestry systems.
Specific Objectives
- Restore degraded agricultural and pastoral lands using agroforestry and sustainable land management practices.
- Increase tree cover and biodiversity to improve ecosystem services and carbon sequestration.
- Strengthen climate-resilient livelihoods for smallholder farmers and pastoralists.
- Build local capacity and inclusive governance for sustainable land and natural resource management.
- Generate scalable models aligned with national and regional restoration initiatives.
Target Areas and Beneficiaries
The project will be implemented in climate-vulnerable regions such as Maradi, Zinder, Tahoua, and Tillabéri, selected based on land degradation severity and community readiness.
Primary beneficiaries:
- 20,000 smallholder farmers and pastoralists, at least 50% women
- Farmer groups, cooperatives, and community forest committees
Secondary beneficiaries:
- Local governments and extension services
- National agencies involved in land and climate programs
Project Components and Methodology
- Component 1: Land Restoration and Agroforestry Systems
- Expansion of farmer-managed natural regeneration (FMNR)
- Establishment of agroforestry systems combining trees, crops, and livestock
- Tree nurseries for native and drought-tolerant species
- Assisted natural regeneration on communal lands
- Component 2: Soil and Water Conservation
- Construction of zai pits, half-moons, stone bunds, and contour lines
- Water harvesting and small-scale irrigation support
- Promotion of organic soil amendments and mulching
- Component 3: Climate-Resilient Livelihoods and Value Chains
- Support for tree-based products (fuelwood, fodder, fruits, gums)
- Women-led processing and marketing groups
- Access to climate finance, savings, and insurance mechanisms
- Component 4: Capacity Building and Community Governance
- Training farmers, pastoralists, and extension agents
- Strengthening community land-use planning and resource governance
- Gender-responsive approaches to land rights and participation
- Component 5: Monitoring, Learning, and Policy Engagement
- Participatory monitoring of land restoration outcomes
- Knowledge sharing with national platforms and the Great Green Wall
- Policy dialogue to support scaling and integration
Implementation Plan
The project will be implemented over 48 months:
- Inception and Baseline (Months 1–6): Site selection, baseline studies, stakeholder engagement.
- Restoration and Capacity Building (Months 7–30): FMNR expansion, agroforestry establishment, training.
- Livelihood Development and Scaling (Months 31–42): Value chain support and replication.
- Consolidation and Exit (Months 43–48): Sustainability planning, policy engagement, documentation.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
The MEL framework will include:
- Baseline, midline, and endline assessments
- Indicators: hectares restored, tree density, yield improvements, income changes
- Remote sensing and community-based monitoring
- Learning products and dissemination workshops
Expected Results and Impact
- Restoration of at least 50,000 hectares of degraded land
- Increased tree cover and soil fertility
- Improved food security and household incomes
- Enhanced resilience to droughts and climate shocks
- Strengthened local institutions for land management
Sustainability and Scalability
Sustainability will be ensured through:
- Community ownership and customary land governance
- Integration with national programs and the Great Green Wall
- Continued economic incentives from agroforestry products
- Capacity building of local institutions
The approach is designed for replication across Niger and the Sahel.
Conclusion
Land restoration and agroforestry are among the most effective pathways to build climate resilience in Niger’s drylands. By combining proven practices, inclusive governance, and livelihood support, this project will restore ecosystems, strengthen food systems, and improve the lives of vulnerable communities. The initiative offers a scalable, climate-smart solution aligned with Niger’s development and climate resilience priorities.
