Niger will hold its 2026 National Tree Day (JNA) under the theme "LA RESTAURATION DES BASES PRODUCTIVES, PILIER DE LA REFONDTION" (The Restoration of Productive Bases, Pillar of Refoundation), according to authorities. Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE, the Minister of Environment, Hydraulics and Sanitation, stated that productive bases have been significantly weakened by factors such as soil degradation, abusive wood cutting, desertification, and climate variability. "The consequences are known to all: the decline in agro-sylvo-pastoral production, farmer-herder conflicts, and rural exodus," the minister said.
Restoring these bases is key for economic improvement, as the minister explained, "Restoring productive bases clearly means improving agricultural and sylvopastoral production conditions, the bedrock of our economy since it largely relies on the rural sector." The success of past JNA editions, including the 2024 event which achieved a 96% plant survival rate for wood in the Guesselbodi Classified Forest in the Tillabéry Region, was attributed to protection measures like fencing, guarding, and supplementary watering.
Context: Fragile Ecosystems, Vital Livelihoods
The 2026 National Tree Day's theme aligns with Axis 3 of the Program for the Refoundation of the Republic (PRR), specifically titled "Development of Production Bases for Economic Sovereignty." Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE stated that the initiative aims to improve agro-sylvo-pastoral production conditions, which he described as "the bedrock of our economy since it largely relies on the rural sector." He added that this restoration would lead to improved agro-sylvo-pastoral production, enhanced food security, better nutritional status for populations and livestock, increased community incomes, and improved ecosystem services through greater biodiversity.
He projected a significant increase in the rural sector's contribution to Niger's Gross Domestic Product. Approximately 80% of Niger's population depends on land, trees, water, and forests for their livelihoods, noting the direct impact of environmental conditions on daily life. Néré foliage also contributes to soil fertility improvement, according to Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE. He characterized the Néré tree as a "nourishing tree that provides many high-quality nutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, iodine, various vitamins)." He further explained that its black seeds are rich in lipids (29%), proteins (35%), and carbohydrates (16%), serving as a vital source of fat and calcium for rural inhabitants. These seeds are processed into products like soumbala, known as dawdawa kalwa in Hausa and Dosso Mari in Zarma, which are traded extensively across West Africa and provide significant income. The tree's yellow carbohydrate-rich pulp is also used as flour in preparations such as Gaskami in Hausa.
The Néré Tree: A Symbol of Resilience and Nutrition
Restoring productive bases aims to improve agricultural and sylvo-pastoral production, enhance food security, improve nutritional status for populations and livestock, increase community incomes, and boost ecosystem services, according to Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE. He stated that this would lead to a significant increase in the rural sector's contribution to Niger's Gross Domestic Product. Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE explained, "Restoring productive bases clearly means improving agricultural and sylvopastoral production conditions, the bedrock of our economy since it largely relies on the rural sector." He added, "It will have as effects and/or impacts, the improvement of agro-sylvo-pastoral production, the improvement of food security and the nutritional status of our populations and their livestock, the contribution to increasing community incomes, the improvement of ecosystem services through the improvement of biological diversity, the significant increase in the rural sector's contribution to GDP, to name but a few."
Weakened productive bases have resulted in decreased agro-sylvo-pastoral production, increased farmer-herder conflicts, and rural exodus. The Néré tree (Parkia biglobosa), a focal point of these restoration efforts, is characterized by Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE as a "nourishing tree that provides many high-quality nutrients (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, iodine, various vitamins)." He noted that the Néré tree, alongside species such as Karité (Shea), Tamarinier (Tamarind), and Détarium, is currently threatened with disappearance.
Néré bark powder has demonstrated utility in reducing infestation by the parasitic plant Striga hermonthica in cultivated fields. The tree's black seeds are notably rich in lipids (29%), proteins (35%), and carbohydrates (16%), providing a vital source of fat and calcium for rural inhabitants. Colonel MAIZAMA ABDOULAYE noted that Néré seeds also provide 15.5 mg/100 g of iron. These seeds are processed into soumbala, known as dawdawa kalwa in Hausa and Dosso Mari in Zarma, a product that generates significant commercial transactions across West Africa. The yellow, carbohydrate-rich pulp of the Néré fruit is also utilized as flour in preparations such as Gaskami in Hausa, used for beignets and pastes.
Past Successes and Future Activities
Activities for the 2026 National Tree Day (JNA) will include a national reforestation camp animated by the National Council of Youth of Niger and youth representatives from eight regions. A broadcast is planned, featuring an interview and debate centered on the JNA 2026 theme, with specific attention to wood management practices in Zinder and future perspectives for wood in Maradi. Further events include a live broadcast of the ecological night from Dan Dicko Dan Koulodo University of Maradi, which will showcase artists and announce the results of the anti-desertification contest.
Past JNA editions have demonstrated notable success in restoration efforts. The second edition of JNA, held in 2025, achieved a plant survival rate of 95% for the Amadou Dan Bassa wood in the Berberkia Classified Forest, located in the Zinder Region. A report focusing on the Amadou Dan Bassa wood in Zinder is also scheduled. Beyond plant survival, these initiatives have shown positive impacts on biomass production. The first edition of JNA, conducted in Guesselbodi, resulted in the production of 720 kg/ha of dry matter herbaceous biomass. The second edition, carried out in Berberkia, further increased this yield, producing 760 kg/ha of dry matter herbaceous biomass.