Agriculture in Niger is a fundamental pillar of the national economy, providing essential food to the population and generating income for many families. Recently, the country’s military authorities took measures to protect local supplies by banning the export of rice, cereals and other food products to all countries except Burkina Faso and Mali, which are also ruled by military rulers.
This decision aims to ensure the accessibility of everyday consumer products on the domestic market and to mitigate the high inflation affecting certain food commodities in Niger. Indeed, products such as rice, pulses such as cowpea, as well as cereals such as millet, sorghum and maize have been banned from export.
Despite the lifting of sanctions imposed on Niger by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) following the July 2023 coup d’état, persistent disruptions in supplies have led to price inflation on the domestic market. The closure of the border between Niger and Benin has also contributed to this situation.
Faced with the challenges encountered, the Minister of Agriculture has committed to purchasing part of the farmers’ harvests to strengthen the country’s emergency reserves. Despite the major storms that have hit Niger, the Ministry hopes for satisfactory agricultural harvests to meet the population’s food needs.
At the same time, the Nigerien authorities have taken measures to support people affected by the recent floods, including by reducing the price of cement. This is intended to facilitate the reconstruction of homes damaged by the floods and to support the affected populations.
The impact of climate change on extreme weather events, such as floods, was also raised. The increasing frequency and intensity of these phenomena highlight the urgent need to act to mitigate the effects of climate change and strengthen the resilience of communities to these challenges.
In conclusion, the current challenges facing Niger in terms of food supply and natural disaster management highlight the importance of appropriate policies and measures to ensure food security and protect vulnerable populations from climatic hazards.