Niger is a landlocked country in Southeast of Algeria in Western Africa. Desert occupies around four fifths of the region.
Niger agriculture is limited to the one fifth of the region. The economy of this country depends on
Niger Agriculture. There was drought in the country around 1968-75. After that agricultural production increased making the country sufficient in food crop production in around 80's. Around 90s the profuse rainfalls increased productivity of the region.
Crops that are mostly cultivated here include:
- Millet, the staple food
- Sorghum
- Rice
- Cassava
- Sugar canes
- Onions
- Sweet potatoes
- Cow peas
Producing diversified crops and export crops like onions, garlic and peppers and potatoes, peanuts are encouraged here. Peanuts are mainly cultivated in the Zinder area and it is one of the main sources of agricultural export revenue. Cotton was introduced here in around 1956 to decrease the dependency of Niger on peanuts.1999 the growth of cotton increased to about 4,000 tons.
Agricultural techniques are old. Agriculture is done only with limited tractors and very little fertilizers. Agriculture in Niger is dependent on rainfall, highly affected by disease and pests. Recurring droughts are major deterrent to Agriculture. Difficult climatic condition makes low production. Soil erosion, overgrazing, deforestation are also some of the other problems faced by agriculture of Niger.
