Over the last decade, the country has focused on the development of small scale irrigation to produce vegetables such as onions, tomatoes, sweet pepper, maize and out-of-season wheat. This form of irrigation has a real development potential. Around 64 percent of farm holdings use groundwater. However, those farms under full control irrigation mostly use surface water.

Flood recession and major irrigation schemes seem of a lower priority in recent years. This is probably due to the objective of promoting food security among farmers, increased incomes and diet diversification.

The government of Niger is placing significant importance to the rehabilitation and development of irrigated systems as a means to increase production, improve food security and increase resilience towards climate change.