FAO Launches $2.7 Million Project to Empower Farmers in Niger’s Dosso and Tillabéri Regions
Agriculture remains the backbone of Niger’s economy, contributing approximately 33% to the country’s gross domestic product and employing nearly 71% of its workforce. Predominantly driven by smallholder farmers, agricultural production in Niger, as in much of sub-Saharan Africa, hinges on the strength, organisation, and resilience of rural farming communities. Recognising this critical sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has embarked on a significant three-year, US$2.7 million initiative aimed at supporting farmers’ organisations in the Dosso and Tillabéri regions.
The project, financed by the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, was formalised through a memorandum of understanding signed on 13 December 2025 between Niger’s Prime Minister Mahaman Ali Lamine Zeine and FAO Niger Representative Al Hassan Cissé in Niamey. This collaboration is poised to bolster the operational capacities and productivity of key agricultural stakeholders.
At the heart of the initiative lies the Federation Mooriben, Niger’s largest and most influential farmers’ organisation. Encompassing 29 cooperative unions across Niamey, Dosso, and Tillabéri, the federation operates through a network of more than 1,500 groups spread in 732 villages. Its reach underscores the pivotal role that collective organisation plays in scaling up agricultural development and rural incomes.
The FAO project is structured around three strategic pillars to ensure holistic support:
1. **Capacity building:** Strengthening the federation’s organisational, technical, and administrative skills to enhance governance and resource management.
2. **Value chain development:** Supporting producers in establishing and sustaining agricultural value chains resilient to climate variability and market challenges.
3. **Coordination and monitoring:** Instituting robust coordination mechanisms and transparent monitoring to capitalise on best practices and ensure project sustainability and replicability.
Emphasising inclusivity, Al Hassan Cissé highlighted targeted efforts to empower women and youth, creating avenues for sustainable income generation and investment mobilisation. Empowering farmers’ organisations is integral not only to advancing agricultural outputs but also to bridging communication between rural producers and government policy frameworks.
The Federation Mooriben’s proactive engagement in 2024 – mobilising CFA395.4 million through partnerships to implement projects spanning seed production, agricultural research, and innovation – demonstrates strong local leadership that the FAO project intends to expand and support.
This initiative aligns closely with Niger’s national ambitions to improve food security, promote environmental stewardship, and enhance rural livelihoods. Through this targeted intervention, smallholder farmers will gain improved access to technical assistance, market information, and intermediary services connecting producers directly with buyers, thus strengthening their market position and resilience.
FFA Explainer Box
_Smallholder farmers:_ Farmers who operate on small land holdings, often using family labour and traditional practices, constituting the majority of agricultural producers in sub-Saharan Africa.
_Value chain development:_ Creating and improving each stage of producing, processing, and marketing agricultural goods to increase efficiency and profitability.
_Federation Mooriben:_ One of Niger’s largest collective farmers’ organisations, working to improve agricultural practices and livelihoods across multiple regions.
_Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP):_ A multilateral financing mechanism supporting agricultural growth and food security in developing countries.
In sum, the FAO’s $2.7 million project represents a critical investment in Niger’s agricultural future, reinforcing the capacity of farmers to innovate, adapt, and thrive amidst climatic and economic challenges. It exemplifies the power of cooperative action to uplift rural communities and advance sustainable development.
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