Four Decades On, ICRISAT and Niger Renew Alliance for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

With 80% of Niger’s population dependent on rain-fed farming and nearly four in ten facing food insecurity, ICRISAT is renewing its four-decade commitment to help the country withstand intensifying climate threats.

ICRISAT’s Country Representative, Prof. Falalou Hamidou, met with His Excellency Mr Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, to chart new actions for sustainable agriculture and food sovereignty.

Welcoming the ICRISAT delegation, Minister Sangaré expressed his appreciation for ICRISAT’s decades of contribution in Niger, noting that “ICRISAT is always welcome, the Ministry is its home.”

He underscored that ICRISAT’s work has never been more vital, with climate change exerting increasing pressure on the livelihoods of Nigeriens.

From its Sadoré Research Station, ICRISAT has developed and delivered proven technologies in crop improvement, livestock integration, soil and water management, and landscape restoration.

These solutions have already helped farmers adapt to harsh dryland conditions and continue to align with government strategies for food and nutrition security.

Prof. Hamidou highlighted ICRISAT’s readiness to partner more closely with the government in accelerating flagship initiatives, including those championed by Niger’s President, such as large-scale irrigation programs and support programs for food sovereignty.

He emphasized that scaling up ICRISAT innovations, ranging from drought-tolerant millet and sorghum to regenerative landscapes and integrated soil fertility management, will unlock greater returns for farmers and ensure long-term resilience.

Reflecting on the meeting’s outcome, ICRISAT’s Director General, Dr Himanshu Pathak, noted that despite present challenges, Niger continues to show the world that resilience is possible, even in the harshest drylands.

“For over forty years, ICRISAT has been privileged to turn science into solutions in Niger that help farmers face drought, restore soils, and feed their families with dignity.

“As climate challenges mount, we are not only renewing our commitment to Niger, we are also reaffirming our belief that it can help lead the way in shaping a food-secure future for the Sahel and beyond,” said Dr Pathak.

The Minister praised ICRISAT’s work and announced his intention to visit the Sadoré Research Station with the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock to explore opportunities to forge practical solutions to achieve national agricultural development goals.

ICRISAT’s Presence in Niger: Four Decades of Partnership

Since 1981, ICRISAT has worked in close partnership with the Government of Niger to advance resilience in dryland agriculture. Through frontier research and innovations, ICRISAT has supported national efforts to help farmers adapt to drought, rehabilitate degraded landscapes, and enhance the nutritional value of crops.

Today, as the impacts of climate change intensify, this enduring collaboration is more critical than ever, with ICRISAT and Niger driving progress toward food sovereignty and a more resilient future.

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