Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (PAND)

Managing Institute:
SOS Sahel International

Project Code: 047-680-001

Start Date: 01/04/1990

End Date: 31/03/1994

Status: Completed

Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
This project is the result of a synthesis of the studies carried out by the Department of Zinder, SOS Sahel Niger and SOS Sahel UK, and reflects full discussions with the people of the canton of Garagoumsa in West Mirriah and the Zinder authorities within the framework of the National Plan for the Control of Erosion and Desertification. The original proposals by the Department of Zinder were for an agro-forestry project to build tree nurseries and to plant woodlots in six villages. This plan has now been modified and extended to cover a wider variety of sectoral inputs including women's economic and labour considerations, the upgrading of water supplies, the improvement of agricultural techniques, and support for educational and technological training programmes. The project now expects to involve 26 villages over a four and a half year period. Thus project benefits will accrue to a greater number of people than originally proposed, and will address many of the major problems that have been identified by the local population. Natural Resource Management is a key issue and many of the sectoral inputs come under this heading. Project activities will include: Agro-forestry and woodlots Agricultural development Livestock credit and other inputs specifically for women Well improvement Soil and water conservation Extension and training Schools programme. Nurseries will be built where needed and agro-forestry demonstrations and trials will be set up in selected villages. Villagers will participate from the beginning of the project in its design and management. The project aims to ensure that their high level of interest and motivation is maintained and effectively shared with neighbouring communities. Lack of water is a constraint in some villages, especially in the dry season. This problem will be addressed by the digging of new wells and the improvement of existing wells. Credit will be made available to enable women to buy smallstock for dairy, meat and egg production and, where appropriate, grain mills will be provided and training given to enable women to run the mills successfully. Soil and water conservation will be a priority as crop yields are closely linked to soil mixture availability. Methods for enhancing moisture penetration and retention will be introduced to contact farmers. Work with schools will include the introduction of wallcharts and teaching aids, and informal discussion groups to raise the level of awareness of children about environmental problems and to encourage their involvement in small-scale conservation measures. In all sectors of the project, extension and training will be the key to success and training facilities, such as the Training Centre at Garagoumsa, will be upgraded to allow as many people as possible to benefit from the programme.

Project Objectives:
The programme of work will have two main themes: (a) Firstly, an education and training theme which will include demonstrations, trials, formal and informal training, visits, group discussions and community participation. Special emphasis will be placed on women's development, with training in organisation of group activities, management of resources, and income generation. (b) Secondly, a technical resource theme which will provide the materials equipment, and technical expertise required to meet the objectives of the project.

Intended Outputs:
The outputs can be divided into sectors and phases. The sectors are Agriculture Forestry Livestock Water and Women's Development. First phase - Primary Villages (high priority - first 1-2 years). Agriculture The project aims to introduce methods of cultivation and cropping that will improve yields and reduce the likelihood of crop failure. As well as techniques such as contour ploughing, this will also involve the use of agro-forestry tree species and fodder legumes in rotations that aim to maximise outputs while reducing the risks of erosion soil moisture loss. Mulching and compost making have great potential in moiture conservation and soil fertility enhancement, and will be introduced early in the programme. Forestry This sector has two main areas of activity: firstly, trees for use in agro-forestry systems, and secondly tree grown as a crop for fuelwood and pole production. As land is at a premium and little is available for woodlot planting, emphasis will be on the first area of activity. Nurseries will be set up where required to produce species for agro-forestry, woodlot and fruit production. Tree planting will take place i