26 research outputs found
Projet dâAppui Ă la RĂ©silience Climatique pour un DĂ©veloppement Agricole durable (PARC-DAD) - Rapport consolidĂ© des ateliers de formation sur les mĂ©thodes et outils de collecte de donnĂ©es statistiques du secteur de lâenvironnement et de greffage des espĂšces ligneuses alimentaires au Niger
Plusieurs ateliers de formation sur les méthodes et outils de collecte des données
statistiques du secteur de lâenvironnement et de greffage des espĂšces ligneuses
alimentaires de fruits ligneux ont été organisés dans plusieurs régions du Niger.
Le premier atelier a pour objectifs de renforcer les capacités des agents de terrain en
matiĂšre de connaissance et dâapplication des textes rĂ©glementaires, lâapproche budgetprogramme et la production des donnĂ©es statistiques fiables du secteur de
lâEnvironnement, de la SalubritĂ© Urbaine et du DĂ©veloppement Durable. En effet, suite Ă
lâatelier de Zinder du 15 au 19 juin 2020 les participants se sont engagĂ©s Ă un vĂ©ritable
changement de comportement pour améliorer la collecte des données statistiques afin de
garantir une meilleure visibilitĂ© aux actions du secteur de lâenvironnement et une plus
grande contribution Ă lâĂ©conomie nationale.
Suite Ă la rĂ©ussite et lâengouement suscitĂ©s par ce premier atelier, un second a Ă©tĂ© tenu
du 22 au 26 Juin 2020 à Dosso sous la présidence du Secrétaire General Adjoint du
MinistĂšre de lâEnvironnement, de la SalubritĂ© Urbaine et du DĂ©veloppement Durable.
Lâengagement des participants de cet atelier portaient Ă : « opĂ©rer un rĂ©el changement de
comportement pour améliorer la collecte, la vérification et la transmission des données
statistiques et le feedback Ă tous les niveaux afin de dâamĂ©liorer la visibilitĂ© du secteur de
lâenvironnement etsa contribution Ă lâĂ©conomie et aux statistiques nationales ».
Au vu de lâimportance de renforcer les capacitĂ©s sur la pratique de greffage in situ, afin que
les cadres des Service Communaux de lâEnvironnement de toutes les communes (au
nombre de 99) des régions de Zinder (56 communes) et de Dosso (56 communes) soient
aptes et capables dâaccompagner les organisations paysannes et Ă mieux assumer leurs
responsabilitĂ©s, des ateliers de formation ont Ă©tĂ© organisĂ©s Ă cet Ă©gard. Dâabord du 15 au
17 septembre 2020 Ă Zinder et du 22 au 24 septembre 2020 Ă Dosso, les participants de ces
ateliers ont Ă©tĂ© imprĂ©gnĂ©s de ce conceptsuivi dâexercices pratiquestenues dansles champs
paysans.
Ces ateliers ont permis de renforcer les capacités des agents de services déconcentrés
(niveau rĂ©gional et dĂ©partemental) du MESUDD sur 1) lâapproche budget-programme Ă
savoir le DPPD, PAP et le systĂšme de rapportage, 2) les outils et instrument de collecte et
de gestion des données du MESUDD notamment les fiches de collectes, masques de saisie,
le SystĂšme dâInformation sur les Terres RestaurĂ©es (SITR) ; 3) lâinternalisation des textes en
matiĂšre en lien avec la gestion desressourcesforestiĂšres, 4) et lâapprentissage pratique des
techniques de greffage
Charcoal Trade in NigerâProduct Flows and Business Models
Charcoal is used in Africa for household energy, and the sector involves different actors with specific business strategies. Based on theories on sustainable business models and livelihoods, charcoal traders in five cities in Niger were surveyed about supply chains and strategies. Most charcoal is imported from Nigeria, and smaller quantities come from Benin and Burkina Faso or domestically. Men dominate the trade. Customers value charcoal quality, tree species, packaging, and low prices. Three groups of traders and their business models were identified: small-scale retailers, large-scale retailers, and wholesalers. The charcoal trade is typically combined with trade in other products and is frequently conducted with family members or friends; laborers are employed for loading and unloading. The charcoal business provides a complementary income for the tradersâ livelihoods. Most respondents believed that trade would increase in the future; wholesalers expected promising future business opportunities. This study concludes that improvements should focus on quality, better marketing skills, and more sustainable charcoal sourcing. Charcoal use in the Sahel region of Africa should also be studied further to enable the development of effective policies in the West African bioenergy sector. The cross-border charcoal trade creates a need for coordinated policies for a sustainable charcoal sector in the Sahel region
Germination et croissance initiale de Neocarya macrophylla (Sabine) Prance, une espÚce oléagineuse du Niger
Germination and Initial Growth of Neocarya macrophylla (Sabine) Prance, a oleaginous Species of Niger. The study conducted in parallel in the real environment, nursery and laboratory to better understand the characteristics of germination and seedling development Neocarya macrophylla, a species of oleaginous Niger. The treatments applied to seed have a waiting time shorter than the untreated seeds. The control has a staggered germination (30 days) and shelling of nuts influenced seed germination bundled (16 days). Unprocessed nuts are the best germination rate (89.53%). Soaking nuts during 72 h and 120 h is fatal for germination. The shelf life has significant effects on the germination of walnuts and almonds. The observation shows a germinating seed cryptogeal. The low germination rates nuts without water shows that water is a limiting factor to the spread of this tree species. The seedlings are very sensitive to dampingoff and tolerant enough to transplantation with a survival rate of 79%
Utilisation de Prosopis africana (G. et Perr.) Taub dans le sud du dĂ©partement dâAguiĂ© au Niger : Les diffĂ©rentes formes et leur importance
La prĂ©sente Ă©tude menĂ©e dans la rĂ©gion de Maradi (Niger), plus prĂ©cisĂ©ment dans le sud du dĂ©partement dâAguiĂ©, vise Ă recenser et Ă classer les diffĂ©rents usages de Prosopis africana. La mĂ©thode de collecte des informations sâest appuyĂ©e sur une enquĂȘte ethnobotanique au niveau des mĂ©nages. Les rĂ©sultats de ces investigations rĂ©vĂšlent que les principaux usages faits de Prosopis africana dans cette zone sont lâalimentation humaine, le fourrage, le bois Ă©nergie, la pharmacopĂ©e traditionnelle, le bois dâartisanat et de service. Parmi ceux-ci, les deux (2) derniers sont les plus importants et portent sĂ©rieusement atteinte Ă lâĂ©tat sanitaire des individus vĂ©gĂ©taux. La cueillette, bien que moins pratiquĂ©e que ces deux (2), nâest pas moins importante Ă cause de son impact sur la rĂ©gĂ©nĂ©ration en diminuant le stock des semences.Mots clĂ©s : Prosopis africana, fourrage, bois, pharmacopĂ©e traditionnelle, Niger
Effects of charcoal ban on value chains and livelihoods in Kenyan Coast â stakeholdersâ perceptions
Charcoal production in Africa has been seen by experts and authorities as a driver of forest degradation and deforestation; hence, governments are implementing measures to address this problem, including banning of charcoal production and trade. The effectiveness of these policies is uncertain, and stakeholdersâ reactions to, and perceptions of, the regulations are unknown. This study analyzed impacts, perceptions, and feedback reactions among stakeholders after the charcoal ban was introduced in Kenya in February 2018. The conceptual framework refers to the theories on sustainability transitions, and data was collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), individual interviews, workshops, and surveys among value chain actors, organizations, and government agencies in Kwale, Taita Taveta and Mombasa counties in Kenya. Several economic, behavioral, attitudinal, and institutional consequences of the ban were identified. The policy showed characteristics of a negative feedback loop, meaning the policy may not succeed in reaching its purpose because of adverse side effects. Possible âpolicy mixâ approaches and advancement of alternative charcoal sources such as briquettes could in the long-term, promote sustainable development of the Kenyan charcoal sector hence supporting the policy implementation
Forests, people and environment : some African perspectives
Forests in Africa support the livelihoods of millions of people through provision of timber and non-timber forest products, food and nutrition, energy and payment of environmental services. However, mismanagement of forests has resulted in deforestation and forest degradation, thereby contributing to the increased emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This special issue highlights some of the research outcomes presented at a pre-congress workshop organised by the African Forest Forum and partners at the 2015 World Forestry Congress. In this issue, the main drivers of land degradation are highlighted vis-Ă -vis population growth, agricultural expansion, climate variability, drought and energy needs. Promising traditional management practices are identified including age-old farmer-managed natural regeneration and exclosures. In addition, research presented indicates that age-old systems such as native non-browse shrubs in Ethiopia are important in that they facilitate regeneration of late-successional tree species. Furthermore, opportunities for using forests to mitigate climate change are highlighted with a case study on the economics associated with carbon markets. The issue also highlights the methodological challenges of quantifying carbon in African forests. The effect of climate change on threatened forest species and biodiversity in general is discussed, and the associated human disturbances impacting on the population structure of a threatened species, e.g. Afzelia africana in West Africa, is presented. The important role of non-timber forest products in income generation for the rural communities and the associated challenges of commercialisation is emphasised with examples from two important tree species: shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) and baobab (Adansonia digitata). Finally, the issue covers a people-centred approach in tree planting and management where studies demonstrated that there are still problems of poor participation of local communities due to poor implementation of enabling policies, lack of involvement in initial planning and subsequent lack of clear benefit-sharing mechanisms.This is a peer-reviewed overview for the special issue 'Forests, People and Environment: papers from the African Forest Forum workshop held on 4â5 September 2015 preceding the XIV World Forestry Congress in Durban, South Africa', edited by PW Chirwa, M Larwanou and G Kowero.http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tsfs202018-03-27Plant Production and Soil Scienc
Sustainable Business Models for Informal Charcoal Producers in Kenya
The sustainable business model (SBM) concept requires enterprises to integrate sustainability aspects in their planning and operations. Although 60% of the global working population make their living in the informal sector mostly in low-and middle income countries, the potential for SBMs has rarely been analyzed for this category. This study explores the SBMs of informal charcoal-producing enterprises in coastal Kenya. It describes key business-model components: value proposition, value creation and delivery, and economic value capture. Impact and dependency on sustainability-related indicators were also studied. Data were obtained through individual interviews, focus-group discussions, and workshops for charcoal producers and other relevant stakeholders. Findings demonstrated that charcoal enterprises, despite their informal status, adopt elaborate business models. The incomes positively affect several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by reducing, if not eradicating, poverty and supporting basic livelihood needs. Examples of negative impacts on some SDG include the activityâs contribution to forest degradation. Feedback impacts, where SDG status influence the informal enterprisesâ opportunities were also identified. The SBM model contributes to the development of a balanced sustainability transition of the charcoal sector. We suggest further analyses of the role of informal enterprises in the bioenergy sector for sustainable development and how their SBMs could be improved
Structure et régénération des peuplements naturels de Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. et Ziziphus mauritiana Lam. suivant un gradient écologique dans la région de Maradi au Niger
Les espeÌces ligneuses jouent un roÌle important dans la vie des populations locales. Parmi les espeÌces couramment utiliseÌes au Niger figurent Balanites aegyptiaca et Ziziphus mauritiana. Ces deux espeÌces sont exploiteÌes comme sources alimentaires et pour divers produits meÌdicinaux, avec comme conseÌquence une reÌduction de leurs peuplements. La preÌsente eÌtude vise aÌ analyser la structure des peuplements et les modes de reÌgeÌneÌration des deux espeÌces dans deux secteurs agro-eÌcologiques contrasteÌes de la reÌgion de Maradi au centre sud du Niger. Au total, 60 releveÌs ont eÌteÌ deÌlimiteÌs, dâune part dans des formations naturelles domineÌes par ces espeÌces, et dâautre part dans les systeÌmes agrosylvopastoraux des secteurs saheÌlien et saheÌlo-soudanien. Dans chaque placette et sur chaque arbre, le diameÌtre aÌ 1,30 m au rasdu sol , la hauteur totale et deux diameÌtres perpendiculaires de houppier ont eÌteÌ mesureÌs. Lâinventaire de la reÌgeÌneÌration a eÌteÌ effectueÌ dans 5 placeaux. La nature de la reÌgeÌneÌration (drageon, marcotte, semis naturel), la hauteur totale et le nombre de tiges de chaque plantule ont eÌteÌ noteÌs. La densiteÌ de B. aegyptiaca ne varie significativement entre sites et entre secteurs. Par contre, la densiteÌ de Z. mauritiana varie significativement entre sites et entre secteurs. En effet, le site de Birni LalleÌ, situeÌ dans le secteur saheÌlien strict, et le site de Kegil dans le secteur saheÌlo-soudanien ont les densiteÌs les plus eÌleveÌes de Z. mauritiana avec respectivement 66,4 ± 52,5 et 77,5 ± 61,4 arbres/ha. Lâanalyse de la distribution des tiges par classe de diameÌtre montre que pour les deux espeÌces, les individus jeunes sont bien repreÌsenteÌs. Cela suggeÌre une bonne reÌgeÌneÌration de ces espeÌces. Lâanalyse de la densiteÌ et nature de reÌgeÌneÌration montre que les deux espeÌces se reÌgeÌneÌrent essentiellement par drageonnage. En reÌponse au ramassage des fruits pour diverses utilisations, les espeÌces B. aegyptiaca et Z. mauritiana ont deÌveloppeÌ des strateÌgies alternatives de propagation en zone saheÌlienne. Cette aptitude aÌ la propagation veÌgeÌtative permet aux deux espeÌces de sâadapter en zones arides caracteÌriseÌes par la seÌcheresse et les hautes tempeÌratures.Wood species play an important role in the life of local communities. Among the species commonly used in Niger, are Balanites aegyptiaca and Ziziphus mauritiana. This species are exploited as food sources and as various medicinal products, with a consequent reduction in their populations. The present study aims to analyze the stand structure and the regeneration modes of the two species in two contrasting agro-ecological sectors of the Maradi region in south central Niger. A total of 60 surveys were delineated in natural formations dominated by these species and in agrosilvopastoral system in the Sahelian and Sahelo-Sudanian zones. On each tree, the diameter at 1.30 m from the ground, the total height and two perpendicular tree crown diameters were measured. The inventory of natural regeneration was carried out in 5 plots delineated in each plot. The mode of reproduction of the regeneration (suckers, marcots, natural seedlings) was recorded as well as the total height and the number of stems of each juvenile were. The density of B. aegyptiaca does not vary significantly between sites and between sectors. The Birni LalleÌ site, located in the strict Sahelian zone, and the Kegil site in the Sahelo-Sudanese sector stand out in terms of Z. mauritiana density with respectively 66.4 ± 52.5 and 77.5 ± 61.4 trees. /Ha. The analysis of the diameter class structure shows that for both species, young individuals are well represented. This suggests strong regeneration among these species. The analysis of the density and nature of regeneration shows that the two species regenerate mainly by suckering. In response to the collection of fruits for various uses by local populations, B. aegyptiaca and Z. mauritiana have developed alternative propagation strategies in the Sahelian zone. This ability to propagate vegetatively allows these two species to adapt to arid areas characterized by drought and high temperatures
Ethnobotanical Knowledge of Men, Women and Children in Rural Niger: A mixedmethods approach
researchEthnobotanical studies often underestimate or misrepresent impacts of age and gender on individual ethnobotanical knowledge. This paper compares two common methodologies, participant observation and key-informant interviews, to examine the variation of ethnobotanical knowledge across age and gender in three communities in rural southwest Niger. We compared lists of plants mentioned in interviews as food, fodder, construction and medicine, to lists compiled from observations of daily activities. Compared to men, women reported more edible plants, different medicinal plants, and less detailed information on construction plants. Interview data indicated ethnobotanical knowledge increased with age. However, in observations youth ate a greater diversity of food plants and identified and ranked fodder species more quickly than adults. This paper supports previous research on age and gender effects on ethnobotanical knowledge and critiques common research methods and assumptions. We advocate for mixed-method approaches to gather more nuanced understandings of ethnobotanical knowledge