Niger: 500 hectares of degraded pastoral land restored in gaya

Gaya, June 5, 2026 — The urban commune of Gaya has initiated restoration efforts on 500 hectares of severely degraded pastoral land, backed by funding from the Integrated Urban Development and Multisectoral Resilience Project (PIDUREM). The launch ceremony, held this Friday, marked the start of operations at two key sites: one in Gaya and another in Tara.

From the early hours of the morning, the Prefect of Gaya led the symbolic groundbreaking, joined by the commune’s delegate administrator, the prefecture’s secretary general, the canton chief’s representative, PIDUREM’s regional coordinator, and their team. Also present were the Deputy Regional Director of the Environment for Dosso, the departmental environment director, representatives from ten partner NGOs, the village head of Tara, and a significant portion of the local population.

Revitalizing pastoral land for sustainable livestock farming

The PIDUREM-funded initiative aims to rehabilitate severely degraded pastoral plots, shield soil from erosion, and enhance land capacity for livestock grazing. The planned measures include reforestation, installation of erosion control systems (both hydric and aeolian), construction of diversion structures, and rehabilitation of access roads to streamline pastoral activities and monitoring.

Boosting community resilience and local economies

According to officials, these efforts will bolster community resilience against climate change impacts while preserving natural resources. PIDUREM’s regional coordinator emphasized that the project will generate temporary employment for nearby residents, delivering immediate economic benefits during the implementation phase.

This initiative is part of a broader PIDUREM strategy to combat land degradation, strengthen food security, and reduce conflicts between farmers and herders. The project includes technical and environmental monitoring to assess the effectiveness of the interventions and adapt practices based on results.

Direct beneficiaries and role of partner NGOs

The project will directly benefit pastoral households and herders in neighboring villages, with restored and secured grazing routes. Partner NGOs involved in implementation will conduct awareness campaigns to promote sustainable land management and ensure the upkeep of completed works. Work has already begun, with an initial phase of land preparation and planting scheduled for the coming weeks. Regular evaluations and progress reports will be produced to ensure transparency and guide future fund disbursements.