Resource information
Challenge Program Water and Food: Basin Focal Project NIGER
Faced with increasing food and water insecurity as a result of climatic and
anthropogenic (demography, land use) changes, the CGIAR Challenge Program
for Water and Food commissioned research in 10 river basins to study the links
between water, food and poverty. Looking at the Niger river basin, we carry out
a diagnosis of the hydrologic and agronomic potential, before attempting to
identify how good agricultural water management may reduce vulnerability in the
region, and preserve local ecosystems. Major future threats and opportunities,
as well as the influence of institutions on water and agricultural development are
discussed.
The study indicated that while many technical solutions are available and
identified, institutional issues as well as generalized poverty undermine their
sustained uptake by communities. Further research is required in order to
determine how to overcome socio-economic and institutional issues.
