By Job Bolloh
Once a beacon of a vibrant cultural heritage, Niger now grapples with existential challenges that are threatening to dim its light. In the midst of political and security challenges, including worsening climate impacts, Niger is pushing forward with climate resilience initiatives to protect its agriculture-dependent population from climate-related food insecurity and resource scarcity. However, political stability and availability of resources remain key factors for success.
Camels grazing in Niger’s arid landscape symbolize the nation’s reliance on livestock with worsening droughts due to climate change. Source: onmyeye1
The political architecture in Niger is defined by challenges related to security, governance, and frequent military coups, the last one occurring in 2023. The government has struggled with insecurity from insurgent groups, particularly in areas bordering Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. Despite the challenges, Niger’s government has demonstrated its commitment to economic and social development, though implementation has been limited by political instability and limited resources.
Meanwhile, the Sahel region is experiencing rapid temperature rise, 1.5 times faster than other parts of the planet. If nothing is done, experts predict that temperatures in the region will rise by three to six degrees by 2100, threatening food security, intensifying water scarcity, and worsening conflicts and humanitarian crises.
Incessant droughts continue to dry up water sources across the Sahel. Source: Berit Burton
Almost all of Niger’s population is reliant on agriculture, yet climate variability limits agricultural production, mostly affecting small-scale farmers. In response, Niger has implemented policies and initiatives aimed at addressing climate-related issues, often with support from international organizations. These key policies and actions include:
National Adaptation Plan (NAP)
The key mandate of the NAP is to ensure resilience to climate impacts because it recognizes that climate change is one of the major causes of poverty and food insecurity. The current NAP prioritizes wetlands, forestry, transport, health, and livestock sectors.
Children in Niger proudly display fresh green vegetables from their community garden, an initiative supporting food security and resilience against climate change impact
The plan stresses developing pastoral areas and improving animal feed banks, crucial during droughts when animal fodder is limited. It highlights actions that should be taken to train medical staff and healthcare personnel to deal with climatic diseases such as malaria, malnutrition, and meningitis. The NAP also stresses gender considerations, calling for increasing women’s ownership of cattle, which can be a form of savings and is important for increasing households’ economic resilience.
Climate Smart Agriculture
The “Nigeriens Nourishing Nigeriens” (3N) initiative recognizes that the country has a fast-growing population with an increased demand for food. Thus, it aims to fight poverty and hunger while strengthening herders’ and farmers’ resilience to climate change.
Thousands of Nigerien farmers have already benefited from the distribution of drought-resistant seeds, livestock feed, and fertilizers, as well as other sustainable land management practices and coaching. Climate Smart Agriculture Support Project (PASEC) has managed to pilot innovative farming techniques enabling the rehabilitation of degraded land.
Data-driven Energy Transition
Niger recognizes that energy is both an issue of climate action and national development. Generally, the country has low energy consumption, but this energy is derived from fossil fuels, which leads to the overexploitation of wood resources and an increase in greenhouse emissions. Niger relies on thermal power plants and imports the remainder from Nigeria. However, only 20 percent of its population has access to electricity.
Deforestation is a huge problem in Niger as people use wood as the main source of domestic energy. Source: Canadian Foodgrains Bank
The government recognizes that data is a powerful tool for helping Niger realize its climate development objectives. Energy data is used to direct government action, monitor progress against national objectives, analyze the effectiveness of policies, and ultimately attract crucial investments.
Niger’s resilience to climate challenges is structured on adaptive policies such as the NAP, 3N initiatives, and data-driven energy approaches. However, these efforts can only be sustained through political stability, availability of resources, and international support amidst severe climate and security threats.
Sources
https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2021/10/20/this-is-how-niger-is-battling-climate-change
https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/project-detail/P125669
