Food Security Niger Project #21564

Women's Community Gardens in Niger

by Rain for the Sahel and Sahara

Project Report | Apr 12, 2024
A Little Goes a Long Way

By Katherine Kolios | Executive Director

access to water changes everything

Earlier this week, hundreds of thousands of people gathered along the "path of totality" to witness the solar eclipse. Those who lived too far, or couldn't travel, gathered in local parks and town squares in order to look up, together. When we come together at scale, it's powerful.

Coincidentally, this week is GlobalGiving's "Little by Little" campaign, which focuses on how much we can accomplish when each of us does a little. Thank you to those who have contributed!

This is a critical time to support localized food production and access as Nigeriens are struggling with the compounding challenges of economic sanctions and limited harvest after last year's deficient rainy season. Together, these challenges have resulted in less money, less food, and significantly inflated prices for the food that is available.

Fortunately, RAIN's community partners are making headway. So far this year, we have worked with 62 women to provide the training and resources to establish and grow their community gardens:

In the new partner community of Tchinagrof Peul, we contracted with a local company and the regional hydraulics office to site and drill a 129m deep well, including a solar-powered submersible pump powered by 8,300w solar panels and a water tower with a 200L capacity. This system delivers 8m3/h of water, which is hooked up to 4 taps for community consumption and provides for watering animals and agriculture. Eight women have been elected to form the maintenance committee for this project and they will continue to receive training and mentorship throughout the year as they learn about this role. Further, we recruited 25 women for the new community garden in Tchinagrof Peulh which will be irrigated by this well. All in all, an exciting start!

In RAIN’s more experienced partner community of Betarmatas, participants have received training in topics including biopesticide, outplanting, composting, planting from seed vs seedlings, water management, transplanting techniques, use of manure, weeding, use of fertilizer, and harvesting techniques. We have also worked with them to hold broader community meetings discussing topics like dry season planting, water management, well upkeep, tree pruning, and cash management. Such meetings averaged 34 participants per meeting, which is just under 10% of the total population of 398 residents. Over 1,278m2 of land has been prepared, including planting wheat, watermelon, barley, onion, red pepper, squash, cabbage, tomato, lettuce, and eggplant. Of the 1,370kg harvested so far, just 8% has been consumed and the remaining 92% has been sold. During this challenging time, the local garden is succeeding in feeding AND funding the community.

When each of us does a little, the impacts are amplified. This is true of those who support RAIN's work, our dedicated team in Niger, and the women in RAIN's partner communities who empower themselves and one another when armed with essential resources and training.

From April 8th-12th, contributions of up to $50 through GlobalGiving will receive a 50% match!

If you haven’t yet, give today so Nigerien women can provide for themselves and their families. Better yet, ask a friend to stand with you too. After all, families shouldn’t have to choose between having enough to eat and meeting other critical needs.

little by little the whole community contributes

a new well and solar pump provide water for all

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Dec 15, 2023
Empowering Women to Grow for the Future

By Kyana Burgess | Communications and Outreach Manager

As sanctions and border closures continue to limit supplies and drive up costs, many Nigeriens are left in ever greater need of support and access to essential resources.

RAIN continues to combat food insecurity through sustainable, community-led food and water systems. These systems are about more than surviving crisis moments - they’re about supporting communities to be more resilient for the long haul.

Families shouldn’t have to choose between having enough to eat or meeting other critical needs. Our Women's Community Gardens project supports women and their families in making the decisions that are right for them.

Our team has witnessed how women can empower themselves when armed with agricultural training programs and access to essential resources that help build a more resilient future. From launching the first women’s urban-rural network in Agadez that brings women together in the regional urban markets to a record-breaking harvest of over 3,000+ kg of produce (a 20% higher yield than anticipated!) 2023 has been a year full of successes and challenges.

Hear the Enmikras Women’s Group share about the impact of RAIN’s support:

“Everywhere in our village and the neighboring villages we speak of the positive things you have brought. The entire community is delighted, and we are all ready to do whatever it takes to conserve and maintain these gains. We will never forget all the good that you have done for the future of our children, for our women’s group, and for the entire village and community.”

In 2024, RAIN Field Agents will continue to support community members in transitioning to leadership roles and expand training curriculum to include essential entrepreneurship and agribusiness methods to participants as they continue to build more resilient livelihoods. These resources help to bolster the skills and confidence of community members implementing sustainable agricultural practices and empower them to better contribute to their local economies.

Our in-country leadership team is ready to meet this critical moment. With our 2+ decades of experience, 100% local Nigerien team, and deep community trust, we plan to forge ahead towards a brighter future with our partner communities.

Your support helps rural and nomadic Nigeriens to build stronger, more resilient futures. Please consider sharing this project with friends and family and asking them to match your gift and double your impact!

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Aug 17, 2023
Enabling Resiliency in the Face of Climate Change

By Kyana Burgess | Communications and Outreach Manager

July proved challenging, as Niger’s unrelenting heatwave rose to a staggering 116° Farenheit. With temperatures soaring to alarming heights, community well-being, agricultural productivity, and the welfare of livestock were at risk. Despite the summer’s trials, efforts in partner community gardens continue to bear fruit.

RAIN remains unwavering in our partnership with Nigerien women to expand sustainable agricultural practices for greater climate resilience. We ensure women can obtain the necessary training, resources, and funding for financial stability and food security. Sustainable agriculture training empowers local communities, enabling year-round harvests and optimizing profitability through essential business training. Supporting women to develop autonomous livelihoods also advances gender parity and contributes to the well-being of entire communities.

RAIN's Field Agents joined forces with regional agronomists provide training to 109 women in Ankaf, Betarmatas, and Torguit. These training sessions encompass a spectrum of sustainable agricultural subjects - from establishing nurseries, to companion planting, organic fertilization techniques, and effective pest management. The launch of the first women’s urban-rural network in Agadez serves as a nexus for women in rural areas to access urban and regional markets. This transformative initiative aligns with RAIN's overarching vision – to support the women’s network in creating local financial infrastructure and sustainable financial health for rural Nigerien women and their families.

This year’s evolution in RAIN’s training programs has been twofold. First, community members transitioned to leadership roles, with RAIN Field Agents providing guidance and troubleshooting support. Second, the training curriculum shifts its focus from basic agricultural techniques to entrepreneurship and agribusiness. These shifts promoted program success expanding community members’ skills and confidence in sustainable agricultural practices. This growth will help transform and build local economies alongside community leaders.

Collaboration between RAIN and community groups focused on improved planning for increased yields and income, resulting in the development of nearly 13 hectares (130,000 m²) of garden plots. This expansion enabled communities to harvest over 3,000+ kg of produce - a 20% higher yield than anticipated which, in turn, doubled the expected income. They sold over 2,000 kg at markets and dried over 50 kg to sell during the upcoming lean season. This increased yield means greater food security and greater income – families have enough to eat and to sell, without being forced to choose between the greater need at a given time.

The success of our partner communities did not go unnoticed. Neighboring communities reached out seeking advice and technical assistance after seeing that Betarmatas produced the largest tomato yield in the region. RAIN recognizes the significance of local knowledge sharing, and its ability to help organically spread the program’s impact to surrounding communities.

As our work continues, RAIN's focus remains on supporting a bright future for our partner communities. Geophysical surveys in Tchinagrof are underway, the first step in drilling a well and establishing a community garden. Expanded training programs will equipparticipants with the tools to advance sustainable agriculture, food security, and economic well-being.

Beyond persistent climatic challenges, the recent attempted coup in Niger has created additional political uncertainty. The long-term implications of this situation will depend on if/how/when the situation is resolved. For now, what we know is that any potential outcome means less access to food and higher costs, at least in the short term.

This risk reinforces the need for local access to food and strengthened regional markets. Our community partners need support now to help buttress themselves against border closures, financial restrictions, and, potentially, limited foreign aid. These programs are a lifeline in the short term while also laying the infrastructure for long-term resilience and self-sufficiency.

In the face of climatic adversity and political uncertainty, RAIN's commitment endures. The progress made by our community partners gives hope for the future, whatever it holds. Thank you for your support of this work and please continue to invest in sustainable progress for Niger's communities.

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