Highlights:

The report identifies the following levers for the transition towards sustainable food systems in Niger:

To reverse natural resource degradation and to restore agro-silvo-pastoral potential

• Prioritize large-scale investments of collective interest: establishment of agro-silvo-pastoral systems, integrated watershed management, fight against desertification, reforestation, development of lowlands, development of water points and transhumance corridors.

• Develop a coherent multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder framework for sustainable agroecological production systems. The adoption of technologies to increase organic matter in soils and water conservation enable a more sustainable agro-ecological intensification.

To support the development of the downstream part of food systems

• Strengthen the capacities of professional organizations, in particular their governance, to make them more transparent and inclusive. The implementation of efficient market information systems would be a way of linking seed companies with growers.

• Invest in storage infrastructures through private-public partnerships.

• Develop capacity-building programs for women and young people in artisanal processing and small-scale trade.

To Support inclusive, sustainable and resilient food systems

• Mobilization of public and private resources for the development of local food systems in secondary towns. Create investment opportunities for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises thanks to socio-economic incentives favouring young people and women (training program), market research, access to credit and risk management tools.

• Mobilize and plan for stable, long-term resources in the most disadvantaged regions to finance social safety nets, and ensure access for the most vulnerable population through appropriate targeting methods.

• Promote the restoration of agro-silvo-pastoral areas, the development of lowlands, the securing of family farms, and management of rangelands, fodder banks and fire wood, in a participative and inclusive way to ensure that the needs of different communities coexist.

• Promote greater participation of women in decision-making processes within local authorities and in professional organizations. Improve access of women to credit, productive resources (land, inputs and equipment) and markets.

To Ensure sustainable transformation of livestock sector

• Give greater importance to the livestock sector in the restauration, preservation and sharing of natural resources, i.e. development of grazing areas, production and access to fodder and the participatory development of water points.

• Strengthen farmers' ability to adopt optimal livestock management practices to ensure their sustainability and decent incomes, while providing them with the support and incentives necessary for such adoption (risk management tools risk management tools, facilitating access to markets and information systems).

• Invest at local level through public-private partnerships in infrastructure for processing livestock products and by-products, and facilitate contracts and agreements between livestock farmers, processors traders and consumers.