On September 28, 2026, the Governor of Niger's Diffa region, General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, visited the irrigation perimeter of the Centre de Développement Agricole (CDA) in Diffa. The visit aimed to assess the conditions of life and work of farmers, evaluate the level of exploitation of the perimeter since its rehabilitation, and gather information on the challenges faced by producers. The governor was accompanied by a delegation of collaborators and technical officials.
The governor was welcomed by regional officials of the Office National des Aménagements Hydro-Agricoles (ONAHA), representatives of farmers' structures, and numerous producers. He then conducted a tour of the perimeter's compartments, including hydraulic infrastructures and cultivated areas, accompanied by technicians. The governor also held a meeting with farmers to discuss their concerns, particularly regarding water supply and the state of certain essential infrastructures.
The discussions allowed farmers to express their concerns, and the governor noted that the visit aimed to verify the level of exploitation of this strategic agricultural infrastructure. He explained that the goal was to see the conditions in which the perimeter is exploited and exchange directly with producers on the difficulties they face. The governor emphasized the importance of the CDA perimeter for agricultural production in the Diffa region.
The CDA perimeter was created in 1977 on a surface area of 160 hectares. However, over the years, the progressive degradation of infrastructures led to a significant reduction in effectively exploited areas. As part of the President of the Republic's National Large Irrigation Program, rehabilitation works were launched in March 2024, with financing mobilized through the Fonds de Solidarité pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (FSSP).
Several billion CFA francs were allocated to upgrade the perimeter's infrastructures. The works concerned the pumping station, irrigation networks and canals, hydraulic structures, and the construction of a 2.05-kilometer protection dike. The device also includes 21 boreholes intended to strengthen the perimeter's water supply. According to the governor, the rehabilitation allowed the site's exploitable capacity to be increased to 160 hectares.
However, the governor deplored that part of this surface area remains currently unavailable due to constraints related to sand accumulation. The governor's visit and the discussions with farmers highlighted the importance of preserving this investment and addressing the challenges faced by producers. The governor's initiative demonstrates the authorities' commitment to supporting agricultural development in the Diffa region.
The preservation of the CDA perimeter and its optimal exploitation are crucial for the agricultural development of the Diffa region. The governor's visit and the concerns expressed by farmers underscore the need for continued support and investment in the region's agricultural sector. The authorities will likely prioritize addressing the challenges faced by producers to ensure the long-term sustainability of the perimeter.
Key points
- The governor of Diffa region, General Mahamadou Ibrahim Bagadoma, inspected the irrigation perimeter of the Centre de Développement Agricole (CDA) to assess its exploitation and address farmers' concerns.
- The CDA perimeter was rehabilitated in 2024 with a significant investment, allowing its exploitable capacity to be increased to 160 hectares.
- The governor emphasized the importance of preserving this strategic agricultural infrastructure and addressing the challenges faced by producers.
