Part of a coalition of agricultural unions and farmer groups in Niger, these two farmer unions have improved food security for over 5,000 members, more than half of which are women, through participatory variety development, the production and marketing of crop varieties, and agroecological practices. Guiding the work of researchers to support them, the unions have conducted participatory processes to diversify their food production including millet, sorghum, and legumes varieties, increasing community resilience to a variable and warming climate. The unions support their members to implement organic agriculture, process their crops for local value addition, and fight a crop pest biologically. 1,500 hectares of degraded areas have been restored for cultivation, and 22,000 hectares of land have been greened through assisted natural regeneration, protecting against erosion and improving soil fertility and water retention.

Key Facts 

Equator Prize Winner: 2021

Year of establishment: 1999

Location: Niamey, Niger

Ecosystem: Agricultural, Grasslands and drylands