The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahaman Elhadj Ousman, visited the pilot site of the FOVAC research project's forage platform in Diffa on Thursday, August 13, 2026. This visit focused on the project's climate-smart forage initiative, which aims to enhance agricultural resilience and productivity in the region. The Minister's visit was part of a broader working mission dedicated to evaluating the setup and progress of the 2026 agricultural campaign across various regions.
The FOVAC project, officially known as 'Building multi-use forages’ value-chains for continued adaptation of pastoral activities to climate change', is implanted within the University of Diffa. Its overarching objective is to accelerate the adoption of innovations in forage polyculture and livestock effluent management. This initiative seeks to promote sustainable agropastoral resource use across a significant portion of West and Central Africa, specifically targeting Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. By focusing on these critical areas, the project endeavors to address pressing challenges related to climate change impacts on pastoral activities and food security.
Project Details and Scope
During his visit, the Minister was warmly welcomed by Vice-Rector Professor Malam Assan Maigri and FOVAC project expert Dr. Kaka Kiari Boukar kellou upon arrival. The FOVAC project, which officially commenced in January 2026, is implemented by a strong consortium of academic and research institutions, alongside development organizations. This consortium includes the University of Diffa, IRED, PPT, CIRAD, and the University of Maroua, bringing together diverse expertise to ensure the project's success. The project's execution is meticulously managed through the Lake Chad territorial component of the PETRADEP regional project, a larger regional development initiative. GIZ oversees this specific component, operating with substantial financial support from the European Union, showing the international commitment to sustainable agricultural practices in the region.
The project has a defined duration of two years, having officially started its operations in January 2026. A key element of its operational strategy involved the establishment of a dedicated pilot area for producing cuttings and seeds. This vital installation was set up at the University of Diffa, covering a total area of two hectares, and has been fully operational since January 2026, coinciding with the project's launch. Within this carefully planned pilot area, one hectare is specifically dedicated to the intensive cultivation of Maralfalfa, a high-yield forage crop known for its nutritional value. The remaining hectare is strategically allocated for the production of forage cowpea, another important feed source that contributes to diversified forage systems. These pilot sites serve as practical demonstration and production hubs, critical for disseminating improved forage varieties and cultivation techniques.
On-Site Production and Distribution
The project's initial production efforts have significantly surpassed initial targets, demonstrating the effectiveness of the implemented techniques and the dedication of the project team. The initial objective for Maralfalfa cuttings was set at 400,000, a challenging yet achievable goal. However, production has already exceeded 600,000 cuttings, representing a remarkable overperformance of 50%. This substantial output facilitates broader distribution to local communities, enabling a greater number of beneficiaries to access high-quality forage material. A first distribution of 20,000 cuttings is meticulously planned for beneficiaries located in the villages of Kaoua, Issari, and Digargo, according to detailed plans shared by project officials. This targeted distribution aims to kickstart the adoption of climate-smart forage practices at the grassroots level.
Dr. Kaka Kiari Boukar kellou, a distinguished expert with the FOVAC project, provided further insights into the beneficiary identification process. He confirmed that 108 beneficiaries have been carefully identified and selected to adopt irrigated forage production techniques. These beneficiaries represent various essential segments of the local agricultural community, ensuring a full and inclusive approach to agricultural development. The largest group comprises 82 agropastoralists, who are central to the project's outreach and are directly involved in livestock rearing and crop cultivation. Additionally, four agro-entrepreneurs have been strategically selected to participate, indicating a forward-looking focus on the commercial scaling and economic viability of these innovative techniques. A dedicated women's group, comprising 22 members, is also prominently featured among the identified beneficiaries, showing the project's aim for inclusive development and the empowerment of women in agriculture. The impressive overproduction of Maralfalfa cuttings positions the FOVAC project to support a larger number of participants than initially anticipated, potentially accelerating the widespread adoption of climate-smart forage practices across the entire region and amplifying its positive impact.
Minister's Assessment and Vision
The visit by Colonel Mahaman Elhadj Ousman, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, formed an integral part of his broader working mission to evaluate the setup of the 2026 agricultural campaign. The FOVAC project, with its full name 'Building multi-use forages’ value-chains for continued adaptation of pastoral activities to climate change', was a key focus of this full evaluation due to its innovative approach and promising early results. The Minister expressed his profound positive impression of the results achieved by the project thus far and acknowledged its significant potential for livestock development and for substantially enhancing animal feed security, a critical component of regional food stability. He specifically noted the applied research initiative's capacity to drive tangible improvements in the agricultural sector.
Beyond the key aspect of cultivation, the FOVAC project is actively engaged in the subsequent stages of transformation and packaging of forages. This full approach includes the strategic acquisition of specialized equipment such as grinders, straw choppers, and balers, which are essential for efficiently processing the harvested forage into usable and storable forms. To ensure the long-term sustainability and economic viability of these practices, a detailed profitability study is currently underway. This study is designed to rigorously assess the production costs associated with both Maralfalfa and forage cowpea, as well as to evaluate their economic prospects for local producers, thereby providing a clear roadmap for commercialization. The FOVAC pilot site at the University of Diffa is strategically positioned as a reference site, not only for the exemplary production of Maralfalfa and forage cowpea but also for demonstrating best practices in their transformation and packaging processes, serving as a model for replication across the region.
The Minister's assessment of the FOVAC project in Diffa was part of a broader national evaluation mission, reflecting a full review of agricultural initiatives across the country. Prior to this important visit to Diffa, Colonel Mahaman Elhadj Ousman had undertaken visits to the regions of Maradi and Zinder. These sequential visits indicate a thorough and systematic approach to monitoring and supporting agricultural development efforts across various geographical areas, emphasizing the government's commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector and ensuring food security nationwide.