Niger officially commenced the development process for its National Agricultural Policy (2027-2035) and its accompanying Action Plan (2027-2029) on Monday, August 17, 2026. The launch, held in Niamey, was presided over by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahaman El Hadji Ousmane, marking a significant step for the nation's agricultural sector. The event specifically marked the official launch of the workshop dedicated to this key development process. This initiative aims to shape the future of agriculture in Niger, a sector critical to the country's economy. Agriculture currently accounts for approximately 42% of Niger's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides employment for 80% of its active population. The workshop's inauguration notes the government's focus on strategic planning to enhance this vital economic pillar, recognizing its profound impact on the livelihoods of a vast majority of the population.
Policy Goals and Scope
The new national agricultural policy is intended to support Niger in a profound transformation of its agriculture, aiming to shift the sector from vulnerability to shocks towards increased resilience. This strategic document is designed to capitalize on and strengthen several ongoing initiatives within the country's agricultural landscape. These initiatives include a large irrigation program, a sustainable land management strategy, and a dedicated strategy for fisheries and aquaculture. The policy document aims to build upon the successes and lessons learned from these existing programs, ensuring a cohesive and integrated approach to agricultural development.
Further, the policy will incorporate and enhance the national rice cultivation development strategy and the small-scale irrigation strategy. By integrating these existing efforts, the policy seeks to build upon previous investments and expertise, fostering greater synergy across various agricultural sub-sectors. The full nature of the policy aims to address diverse aspects of agricultural production and resource management. The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Colonel Mahaman El Hadji Ousmane, anticipates that each region will organize regional consultations. These consultations are expected to take the form of departmental and regional workshops, ensuring a localized and inclusive approach to policy formulation. Their purpose is to involve all relevant stakeholders within the agricultural sector, from farmers and local communities to agricultural experts and civil society organizations, ensuring broad participation in the policy development process. This participatory approach is considered vital for creating a policy that is both relevant and implementable across the diverse agro-ecological zones of Niger.
Strategic Partnerships and Frameworks
The World Bank Group's new country partnership framework for Niger integrates an ambition to improve agricultural productivity and food security within the nation. This alignment shows the international support for Niger's agricultural transformation agenda. The policy development process emphasizes that women must have greater access to productive resources, financing, technologies, and markets to participate fully in value chains and agricultural transformation. This focus aims to ensure inclusive growth within the sector, recognizing the key role women play in agricultural production and household food security. Enhancing women's participation is seen as a key driver for overall sector development and poverty reduction.
The overarching process for developing Niger's National Agricultural Policy will be guided by two distinct bodies. A steering committee will be responsible for overall orientation and decision-making regarding the policy's direction and content. This committee will provide high-level oversight, ensuring that the policy aligns with national development priorities and long-term visions for the agricultural sector. Concurrently, a technical committee will manage the coordination of various activities and inputs throughout the development phase. This technical body will be responsible for synthesizing expert contributions, drafting policy components, and ensuring the coherence and scientific rigor of the document. These committees are designed to provide both strategic oversight and operational guidance for the complex task of shaping the future of Nigerien agriculture, ensuring that the policy is strong, well-informed, and effectively implemented.
Voices from the Launch
The new agricultural policy document will also strengthen several existing national strategies, including the rural land policy and the sustainable livestock development strategy. By reinforcing these foundational policies, the new agricultural policy aims to create a more stable and productive environment for both crop cultivation and animal husbandry. It aims to integrate the research-training-innovation strategy for agriculture, known as Niger 2040, alongside the national renewable energy plan. This integration signifies a forward-looking approach, linking agricultural development with technological advancement and sustainable energy solutions. The policy is set to incorporate and reinforce the national youth entrepreneurship strategy, indicating a broad scope for agricultural development across various sectors and demographic groups. This focus on youth aims to create new opportunities and foster innovation within the agricultural sector, addressing issues of unemployment and promoting economic diversification.
This full approach is particularly relevant given that 80% of Niger's population relies on agriculture for its livelihood. The policy document's focus on integrating these diverse strategies reflects an effort to create a cohesive framework for agricultural growth and stability within the country. By strengthening these interconnected areas, the policy seeks to address challenges and capitalize on opportunities across the agricultural value chain, from land management to innovation and youth involvement. The anticipated transformation is expected to move Niger's agriculture from a state of vulnerability to shocks towards a more resilient and productive system, ultimately enhancing food security and economic prosperity for its citizens. The collaborative and multi-faceted nature of this policy development process shows the government's commitment to a sustainable and inclusive agricultural future for Niger.