Au cœur de la marginalisation des femmes en milieu rural nigérien : l’accès à l’eau agricole

Cet article aborde les inégalités de genre dans la mise en valeur des périmètres irrigués au Niger. Les études menées dans différents sites montrent que la culture du riz est une activité masculine. Les quelques femmes présentes sont en général sans soutien, divorcées ou veuves avec très souvent plusieurs enfants à charge. Des critères, très discriminatoires, dont celui d’être chef de ménage, ont été, dès les premières attributions des parcelles, mis en avant pour les écarter de l’accès aux parcelles sur les périmètres aménagés. Par ailleurs, du fait de la pénibilité liée à la culture du riz et des contraintes qui y sont associées, elles connaissent en plus la marginalisation dans la production et donc en définitive sont privées des bénéfices.This paper addresses gender issue in the development of irrigation in Niger. Studies conducted in various sites in Niger show that access to agricultural water use in rice cultivation is a predominantly male activity. The few women present are generally without support, divorced or widowed, often with several children. Very discriminatory criteria, including being head of household, were used to prevent women of any access to irrigated rice. Moreover, because of the supposed hardship related to the cultivation of rice and it constraints, women are marginalized out from the rice production and its profits

Status quo of chemical weed control in rice in sub-Saharan Africa

If future rice production is to contribute to food security for the increasing population of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), effective strategies are needed to control weeds, the crop’s fiercest competitors for resources. To gain better insights into farmers’ access to, and use of, herbicides as part of weed control strategies, surveys were conducted in key rice production locations across SSA. Farm surveys were held among 1965 farmers across 20 countries to collect data on rice yields, farmer’s weed management practices, herbicide use, frequencies of interventions and information sources regarding herbicides. Markets were surveyed across 17 countries to collect data on herbicide availability, brand names and local prices (converted to US$ha−1). Herbicides are used by 34$17 ha−1). They are also the most popular herbicides among farmers. For advice on herbicide application methods, farmers primarily rely on their peers, and only a few receive advice from extension services (<23%) or inform themselves by reading the product label (<16%). Herbicide application timings are therefore often (38%) sub-optimal. Herbicide technologies can contribute to reduced production losses in rice in SSA. However, through negative effects on crop, environment and human health, incorrect herbicide use may unintentionally counteract efforts to increase food security. Moving away from this status quo will require strict implementation and monitoring of national pesticide regulations and investment in research and development to innovate and diversify the currently followed weed management strategies, agricultural service provision and communications with farmers

Gestion collective des aménagements hydro-agricoles au Niger (gouvernance locale et mobilisation des ressources pour une mise en valeur viable)

TOULOUSE2-BUC Mirail (315552102) / SudocTOULOUSE2-Géographie (315552211) / SudocSudocFranceNigerFRN

Stratégies territoriales d’adaptation aux contraintes démographiques et environnementales : le Niger

Le Niger est un pays sahélien à l’écosystème fragile, désertique aux deux tiers, où les zones agricoles sont concentrées dans la partie méridionale du territoire. À cause de l’insuffisance et de l’irrégularité de la pluviométrie, de la fertilité réduite et de la dégradation d’une grande partie des terres cultivables dans des milieux ruraux où la croissance démographique est élevée, les cultures pluviales, mil principalement, ne permettent de nourrir la majorité des ménages que quelques mois de l’année. Pour faire face aux contraintes environnementales et aux problèmes de subsistance, les logiques spatiales privilégiées dans les stratégies des populations diffèrent de celles sur lesquelles se fonde l’action des services de l’État

Variability and determinants of yields in rice production systems of West Africa

Rice (Oryza spp.) is the major staple food for most countries in West Africa, but local production does not meet demand. Rice is grown mainly by smallholder farmers, and yields are generally low with high temporal and spatial variability. Low yields have been attributed to unfavorable climate conditions, poor soil quality, and sub-optimum agricultural practices. The objectives of this study were to assess variation in yields of three major rice production systems (irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, and upland) across three climatic zones (semi-arid, sub-humid, and humid), and identify factors affecting that variation. We analyzed data on yield, climate, soil, and agricultural practices for 1305 farmers’ fields at 22 sites in 11 West African countries between 2012 and 2014. A boundary function approach was used to determine attainable yields. Random forest algorithm was used to identify factors responsible for yield variation. Average rice yield was 4.1, 2.0, and 1.5 t ha−1 in irrigated lowland, rainfed lowland, and rainfed upland systems, respectively, with maximum attainable yields of 8.3, 6.5, and 4.0 t ha−1. Yield difference between attainable and average yield tended to be higher in irrigated and rainfed lowland systems. In those two systems, yields were highest in the semi-arid zone, while no difference in yields among climatic zones was apparent for upland rice. High rice yields were associated with high solar radiation, high maximum temperature, intermediate air humidity, multiple split nitrogen (N) fertilizer applications, high frequency of weeding operations, the use of certified seeds, and well-leveled fields in the irrigated lowland system. Minimum temperature, solar radiation, rainfall, construction of field bunds, varietal choice, and the frequency of weeding operations were determinants of rice yield variation in the rainfed lowland system. Varietal choice, bird control, and frequency of weeding operations affected rice yields in the upland system. Improving access to inputs, improving input use efficiencies, and site-specific management strategies are recommended as priority interventions to boost rice yields at regional scale independent of production system and climatic zone