Niger has struggled with desertification, land degradation, drought and loss of biodiversity for many years. Large-scale restoration is needed to improve food security and livelihoods in rural areas and help people adapt to climate change.

Action Against Desertification supports the implementation of the Great Green Wall initiative in Niger, strengthening the resilience and productivity of drylands, while stimulating economic growth. The project is undertaking the following action:

Land restoration: 16 147 hectares of degraded land restored. A total of 57 615 kg of seeds and 45 080 seedlings were produced. Five woody and five herbaceous fodder species were planted.

Diversification of economic activities: development of seven high-potential non-timber forest products value chains, including balanites oil, gum arabic, fodder, forest seeds, nursery seedlings, honey, and baobab and gao tree fruits and leaves. An estimated USD 21 967 was generated from these products.

Capacity development: training 469 small-scale farmers in natural assisted regeneration, forest and fodder seed collection and the production of seedlings in village nurseries.