29 May 2017, Niger - Niger plans to modernize its livestock farming in the image of the Tunisian model. To achieve this, Mr Albadé Abouba, Minister of State, of Agriculture and Livestock, thanks to the support of FAO Niger, headed a strong delegation of experts and producers that travelled to Tunisia from 16 to 20 May 2017, where the producers, experts and researchers of the visited country were asked to back Niger in transposing its successful experiences.

Exchanges with Tunisian officials, experts, researchers and producers enabled the Nigerian delegation to obtain as much information as possible on livestock research, livestock feed production, fodder seed, conservation, dairy processing, artificial insemination and quality control.

During its stay, the delegation visited the Amouchi farm and the dairy company "Natilait", the Research and Higher Education Institution "IRESA", the Office of Livestock and Pastures "OEP", the Agency for the Promotion of Agricultural Investments "APIA", the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts "UTICA" and the Institute of Arid Regions.

At the Amouchi farm, the delegation obtained information on seeds, cultivation techniques, harvesting, forage processing and conservation, farm expertise and expertise to be translated into capacity building for partners.

At the headquarters of Natilait, the delegation exchanged views with officials and experts on facilities and techniques suitable for milk production, collection and processing, production and bottling, hygiene and sanitation, quality control, conservation and marketing.

In meeting the heads of the IRESA Higher Education Institution of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries, the delegation inquired about the state of the institution's expertise with its 900 publications and forty-five patents, the information-sharing system, and the effectiveness of the interactive approach, starting from the identification of the needs of the producers and concluding with impact assessment, via modeling and close technical support.

Speaking to researchers from the Livestock and Pasture Office and the Institute of Arid Regions "IRA", the delegation gathered information on animal health, artificial insemination, tools and standards in the field, card design and maintenance, demonstration plots, stages of livestock modernization, capacity building, export opportunities for the model in Niger, etc.

At the agricultural investment promotion agency and the Tunisian Union of Industry, Trade and Handicrafts, the information obtained regarded the investments deriving from the identification of the projects, the technical supervision, business plan development and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) of performance and impact.

At each stage of the visit, Tunisian researchers, experts and producers expressed their willingness to put their knowledge and know-how at the disposal of the livestock sector in Niger, so as to enable it to be productive and high-quality.

Satisfied with the results and information collected, the level of commitment and the availability of the parties met, the Minister of State, Mr Albadé Abouba, affirmed that “as long as I remain a Minister, I will ensure that we work in symbiosis with the Tunisian experts, who have a lot of expertise that can be of use to our country.”