Minister Bilaly Elhadj Gambobo concluded a regional inspection of the 2026 agro-pastoral campaign in Tillabéri on Thursday, October 15, 2026. The visit served to evaluate the progress of agricultural activities within the region. Minister Bilaly Elhadj Gambobo assessed the current state of local production and livestock management during the tour. Officials provided data on existing conditions to the minister throughout the inspection period. The findings from this evaluation are expected to inform future agricultural policy decisions for the area. During the site visits, Minister Bilaly Elhadj Gambobo engaged with regional agricultural staff to review the operational challenges facing local farmers. The minister emphasized the importance of monitoring crop development cycles and the health of livestock herds to ensure regional food security.
National Production and Forage Deficits
National agricultural production for the 2025-2026 period recorded a 10.7% decrease when measured against the output of the previous year. This 10.7% decrease represents a significant shift in total yields for the period. This decline reflects current shifts in productivity levels across the region as reported to officials during the inspection.
Separately, the national forage balance for the 2026 campaign dropped by more than 23% compared to the figures from the previous year. This decline of more than 23% in the national forage balance notes the strain on available resources for pastoralists. Data provided to Minister Bilaly Elhadj Gambobo indicates that this reduction in available fodder poses challenges for livestock management strategies currently being reviewed. The findings regarding both agricultural yields and forage availability are intended to serve as a baseline for determining the necessary interventions for the coming cycles. These figures are being processed by ministry staff to identify priority areas for support.
Infrastructure Development and Irrigation Projects
Modernization works at the Toula irrigated perimeter are valued at 2 billion CFA francs. This infrastructure development, managed under the oversight of ONAHA, aims to enhance the technical capacity of local production sites. The Toula irrigation project includes the development of 4.43 additional hectares to support expanded agricultural activity. By increasing the total land under irrigation, ONAHA intends to stabilize yields against seasonal variations.
Agricultural input distribution remains a point of focus for regional authorities. The CAIMA central warehouse received 6,280 tonnes of agricultural inputs as of 15 October 2026. This supply level stands against a total regional requirement of 16,000 tonnes identified for the current campaign. Officials are evaluating these figures to determine the impact on farmer access to necessary materials for the upcoming planting cycles. The gap between the 6,280 tonnes currently in stock and the 16,000 tonnes requirement remains a primary concern for the CAIMA logistics team. Minister Bilaly Elhadj Gambobo has requested regular updates on the movement of these inputs to ensure that available supplies reach local producers in a timely manner. The regional oversight team continues to monitor the distribution chain to mitigate potential shortages for the remainder of the 2026 season.