Strengthening Collaboration for Sustainable Farming and Food Systems in the Sahel Region
Media Release
Niamey, Niger – ICRISAT continues to advance sustainable farming and food systems in the Sahel through strengthened partnerships and innovative research. Dr Mangi Lal Jat, Global Research Program Director for Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT, visited Niger from 29 September to 7 October 2024, to reinforce collaborative efforts aimed at enhancing agricultural resilience and sustainability.
A key highlight of Dr Jat’s visit was his discussions with the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) to establish a National Platform for Soil Mapping in Niger. This initiative, bringing together ICRISAT, IFDC, and the University Abdou Moumouni of Niamey, will leverage ICRISAT’s advanced soil laboratory to serve as a referral hub for the Government of Niger’s soil network.
"The ICRISAT Sadore Research Station in Niger has been a cornerstone of sustainable soil health research since 1986, especially in advancing pearl millet systems," said Dr Jat, emphasizing the Station's innovative composting techniques, sustainable resource management practices, and its operation of the regional genebank. "The team at Sadore has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in both entomology and soil management, which have been instrumental in transforming agricultural resilience and sustainability across the Sahel region."
Discussions at the IFDC also explored further collaboration with the Center's regional Soil Values initiative in West Africa.
As part of his country visit, Dr Jat met with representatives from USAID in Niamey to discuss the SERVIR West Africa-2 initiative, which focuses on digital landscapes, soil fertility mapping, and land restoration. USAID emphasized the critical importance of land use and land cover mapping in addressing regional challenges, signaling the agency's growing interest in the use of advanced technology to drive sustainable agricultural solutions.
In a separate meeting with Ms Jennifer Holst, Country Representative of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), and her team, discussions centered on ongoing projects like Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration and the GIRMA project. Supported by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance, these initiatives aim to improve food and nutrition security while enhancing resilience among vulnerable households in Niger. Both CRS and ICRISAT reaffirmed their commitment to these efforts, agreeing to balance restoration activities with the promotion of local livelihoods.
Dr Jat also met with Professor Atta Sanoussi, interim Director-General of AGRHYMET, to explore expanding the SERVIR West Africa-2 partnership. Both institutions expressed enthusiasm for deepening their collaboration, focusing on agricultural resilience and sustainable land management.
The visit to Niger underscores the importance of South-South collaboration, especially among partners in Mali, Niger, and Indian stakeholders, with a focus on facilitating knowledge exchange in landscape management and mechanization, while strengthening partnerships with local governments.
“As ICRISAT continues to cultivate strategic partnerships in Niger, the insights from this visit are poised to significantly advance efforts toward sustainable agricultural practices and resilient food systems across the region,” said Dr Jat.
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