Irrigated food systems in Maradi Republic of Niger: A comparison between operating accounts

In Niger, most food systems are based on pluvial crops (millet, sorghum and cowpea). However, during the last decade, agricultural policy and technical and financial partners focused on increasing the productivity of irrigated food products. The region of Maradi, located in the Central-South of Niger, is an area traditionally dedicated to agriculture. Some parts of this region are particularly adapted for irrigation, especially the Goulbi of Kaba and the Goulbi of Maradi valleys. The goal of this study is to establish the socio-economic situation of the main irrigated food productions, based on the following indicators: (i) the crop management technics used; (ii) the results of the operating account; and (iii) the comparison between the village and the adoption of new technic (farmer field school). This paper is based on direct surveys conducted in three areas of the Maradi’s region: Soumarana (commune of Safo, department of Madarounfa); N’Yelwa (commune of Madarounfa, department of Madarounfa); Madarounfa (commune of Madarounfa, department of Guidan Roumdji). The software used is Minitab and Excel. The results highlight a good perspective for the irrigation system but this food system is conditioned by the petroleum price and some other input (fertilizer and seed). The operating accounts show that irrigation is a non-negligible income source, which increases the resilience of the farmers.