Supporting Sustainable and Resilient Farming in Niger
The Promise of Pigeonpea for Livestock Feed, Soil Health, and Farmer Resilience
In Niger, where erratic rainfall and nutrient-poor soils challenge traditional farming, an innovative solution is transforming agro-pastoral systems.
The scarcity of quality livestock feed, particularly during the dry season—one of the country's most pressing agricultural challenges—is being tackled by the Enhancing the Productivity and Resilience of Agro-Pastoral Systems project, funded by the Livestock Systems Innovation Lab (LSIL). This initiative has introduced pigeonpea cultivation in the Maradi Region of Niger with promising results.
In 2023, the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and its partners piloted improved pigeonpea varieties on demonstration plots managed by agro-pastoral field schools and the results were remarkable.
"In Maradi, pigeonpea thrived in challenging conditions where other crops struggled, showcasing its resilience and its potential to close the critical livestock feed gap," said Dr ML Jat, Research Program Director for Resilient Farm and Food Systems at ICRISAT.
As part of the project, farmers received training in advanced agronomic practices and were provided with high-quality seeds, enabling them to adopt sustainable farming techniques.
Participatory evaluations revealed a strong preference for integrating pigeonpea with pearl millet, with 94% of farmers endorsing this system for its practicality and benefits.
Inspired by the results of the pilot project, 382 farmers expanded their cropping systems in 2024 to include pigeonpea alongside pearl millet, further solidifying this crop as a key component in building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems in Niger.
Community-Driven Success Stories
The impact of pigeonpea cultivation has gone beyond improved yields—it has inspired innovation within communities. In Maradi, a women’s group took the initiative to cultivate pigeonpea as supplementary fodder for their livestock during the dry season, utilizing small-scale irrigation systems.
Ms Hadiza Abdou, a member of the group, expressed her amazement at their achievement, admitting that she never imagined they could reach such high levels of production. "If we hadn’t tried, we wouldn’t have seen this potential,” Hadiza shared.
This success has become a source of pride and inspiration for the community, showcasing the transformative power of pigeonpea in improving livestock productivity and farm resilience.
“At first, this technology seemed like a dream to us, as we believed pigeonpea was only for lowlands. But now, it's a reality. The Mil de SIAKA pearl millet variety, too, has been impressive with its dense growth and retained green foliage at maturity—a great benefit for our animals,” said Mr Sayabou Iliya, a participant farmer in the pilot project.
Shifting Perspectives and Expanding Adoption
Before the project, pigeonpea was not cultivated in the area, but by the second year, over 60% of farmers in the project region had adopted the crop, according to Mr Ibrahima Abdoussalam, Scientific Officer at ICRISAT.
“Many agronomists doubted pigeonpea could thrive in Niger’s drylands but this project has shown that with the right awareness, demonstration, and farmer engagement, even unlikely innovations can succeed,” said Dr Clarisse Umutoni, the project’s Principal Investigator, reflecting on the unexpected success.
Benefits of Pigeonpea Adoption
Enhanced Feed Availability: Pigeonpea offers a high-quality fodder solution, addressing livestock feed shortages during the dry season.
Improved Soil Health: As a legume, pigeonpea enriches the soil with nitrogen, enhancing fertility for future crops.
Increased Livestock Productivity: Better feed quality translates into healthier livestock, increased milk and meat production, and higher farmer incomes.
Greater Resilience to Climate Variability: Pigeonpea’s drought tolerance supports resilient farming systems, reducing the risks associated with unpredictable weather.
Higher Income and Food Security: Farmers can boost their incomes and ensure food security for their households by diversifying their crops and adopting sustainable practices.
The project Enhancing the Productivity and Resilience of Agro-Pastoral Systems, and Income, Food, and Nutrition Security through Market-Oriented Innovations in Niger, funded by USAID through the University of Florida Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Livestock Systems, is implemented by ICRISAT in partnership with Dan Dicko Dankoulodo University of Maradi, University Abdou Moumouni, Amate Seed Farm, Ainoma Seed Farm, APESS (Association pour la Promotion de l’Elevage au Sahel et en Savane ), Arizona State University, and CNFA (Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture).
This work aligns with SDGs 1, 2, 13 & 17.
Agathe Diama