DATE PALM CULTIVATION IN MAGARIA (NIGER): AN ALTERNATIVE SOLUTION TO DROUGHT

BABAHANI Souad; RABIOU Haya; ELHADJ MAGORI Sani

BABAHANI Souad Faculté Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Ouargla, 30000 Ouargla, Algérie (2) Laboratoire de Recherche sur le palmier dattier,
RABIOU Haya Laboratoire Bio Ressources Sahariennes Faculté Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Ouargla, 30000 Ouargla, Algérie
ELHADJ MAGORI Sani Laboratoire Bio Ressources Sahariennes Faculté Sciences de la Nature et de la Vie, Université de Ouargla, 30000 Ouargla, Algérie

Keywords: Magaria, Niger, date palm, development

Abstract

Over the last few decades as a result of successive droughts, the date palm is becoming more important in the economy of families in Niger; but studies on date palm cultivation in this country are still very rare. The district of Magaria contains areas that appear to be very favorable for the cultivation of the date palm. The objective of this study is the characterization of date palm cultivation in the district. The study was conducted in two main areas (townships) Wacha and Bandé. These are areas that produce dates in winter and in dry season. The study was conducted through surveys in a hundred farms. The results show that the Township of Wacha is considered the main township producer of dates in the borough. In the canton of Bande, farmers operate very small areas very small areas, less than 1 ha, with a reduced number of palms that rarely exceeds 100 feet. The conduct of the date palm seems very rudimentary, the main cultural operations are: pollination, harvesting and sometimes pruning. However, despite all the difficulties that hinder the expansion of date palm in Magaria, potential for development seem so many, if actors together to implement intensification projects of the crop in these areas.