The 2026 agricultural campaign in Niger's Tahoua region faces localized challenges despite broader promising prospects. By the third decade of July 2026, 50 out of 2,000 agricultural villages experienced millet crop failures, while 56 villages had not yet completed their first sorghum sowing. Rainfall data for 2026 from Tahoua's 230 pluviometric stations indicates variability, with 84 stations reporting surplus precipitation, including 43 exceeding 50 mm. Conversely, 127 stations registered a deficit, with 61 falling short by more than 50 mm.
Bilan des semis et des cultures
A total of 1945 villages, representing 97.25% of the total, have completed millet sowing in the Tahoua region, a decrease from 1992 villages (100%) in 2025. Millet and sorghum crops, as of the third decade of July 2026, show 7% at emergence, 38% at advanced emergence, 43% tillering, 12% stem elongation, and 1% at the fruit set/heading stage.
Millet crop failures have affected 50 villages. These are located in the departments of Bouza, with 19 villages, Abalak, with 6 villages, and Keita, which accounts for 25 villages. Additionally, five villages in the department of Tassara have not yet planted millet. Sorghum crop failures have been recorded in 21 villages across the departments of Keita, with 15 villages affected, and Abalak, where 6 villages experienced losses. Overall, 1923 villages have completed sorghum sowing.
Analyse pluviométrique et état des sols
The maximum rainfall recorded in 2026 reached 100 mm over four days in Galma, within the Madaoua department. Conversely, the minimum rainfall for 2026 was 1.2 mm in one day at the Adoua post in Bagaroua. For comparison, in 2025 during the same period, Kalfou in Tahoua department registered 133.2 mm over five days, while the minimum in 2025 was 2.9 mm in one day at the Bangui post, Madaoua.
Regarding cumulative rainfall for 2026, the Bambeye post in Tahoua Department recorded 305.2 mm over 10 days. The lowest cumulative height for 2026 was 20 mm in one day at Koren Mahalba, Madaoua. In 2025, the cumulative rainfall for the same period at the Tajaé post in Illéla stood at 390.5 mm over nine days. The smallest cumulative height in 2025 was 2 mm in one day at Koren Mahalba, Madaoua. In 2025, 86 posts reported surplus rainfall, with 50 exceeding 50 mm, while 90 posts showed a deficit, 67 of which were more than 50 mm below average. Fifteen posts lacked comparable data for analysis.
Soutien aux producteurs et défis sanitaires
A total of 892.58 tonnes of seeds are currently being distributed or sold at subsidized prices in the region. This includes 588.25 tonnes of millet, with 200 tonnes offered at a reduced price, and 87.77 tonnes of sorghum, of which 50 tonnes are subsidized. Additionally, 100.80 tonnes of cowpea, including 30 tonnes at a moderate price, 4.895 tonnes of groundnuts, 1,627 kg of okra, 8,539 kg of sesame, and 15 kg of sorrel are part of the distribution. For agricultural support, 1,784 tonnes of chemical fertilizers have been made available to producers. These fertilizers comprise 862.4 tonnes of NPK, 921.3 tonnes of urea, and 300 kg of DAP. The CAIMA made 1,263 tonnes of fertilizer available across 18 sales points.
Infestations of Kurassaria angulefera larvae and Diablocantape axilaris adults have been observed on millet, sorghum, and cowpea crops at the tillering stage in the departments of Keita and Tahoua. The infested areas were assessed at 137 hectares, showing an average density of 6 individuals per square meter. The region possesses 6,775 liters of pesticide, specifically 1,775 liters of Sultan 240UL and 5,000 liters of Pyrical 240UL. This pesticide capacity allows for intervention over 6,775 hectares.
Perspectives économiques et comparatifs
The food situation in the Tahoua region indicates an increase in cereal prices compared to the previous decade, with the exception of rice, which experienced a decline. This upward trend in cereal costs reflects current market dynamics affecting staple grains. In contrast, during the same period in 2025 and when compared to the five-year average, cereal prices generally showed a decrease. This past reduction in prices did not apply to cowpeas and groundnuts, which maintained different market trajectories. The current rise in cereal prices, alongside the observed decrease for rice, marks a shift from the broader price reductions seen in the previous year and over the longer five-year average for most cereals.