On November 5, Zinder region governor Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani visited the Kassama hydro-agricultural site, 45 km east of Zinder. The site benefits from the Grande Irrigation Program funded by President Abdourahamane Tiani. The governor aimed to assess the site's development and infrastructure. He was accompanied by close collaborators and officials from the National Office for Hydro-Agricultural Development (ONAHA).
The Kassama site, located in the departments of Damagaram Takaya and Mirriah, was established in 2013 and financed by the state. It was rehabilitated between 2024 and 2025. The site spans across the rural communes of Albarkaram and Gaffati. ONAHA is responsible for its implementation. The site has an organizational structure that includes a cooperative society, an irrigation water users' association, and four groupements.
A total of 11 villages surround the site, with 342 exploitants, including 93 women, distributed across four groups. The initial area was 65 hectares, which was expanded to 100 hectares after rehabilitation. Two dry season campaigns were conducted in 2025 and 2026, while three wet season campaigns took place in 2024, 2025, and 2026. For the 2026 wet season, 92.5 hectares were dedicated to rice cultivation.
The ONAHA provided 50 tons of fertilizer, including 20 tons of urea and 25 tons of NPK, to the producers as a revolving fund. The rice is nearing maturity, and harvesting is scheduled to begin on November 15. The expected yield is 7 tons per hectare, resulting in a production of 647.5 tons of paddy rice. The governor expressed satisfaction with the site's development.
During his visit, Governor Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani commended the efforts made at the Kassama site, which has 100 hectares of land developed by ONAHA with support from the Solidarity Fund for the Safeguard of the Fatherland. He noted that local producers, including nearly 100 women, are utilizing the land. The governor expressed optimism about the site's potential for a good yield.
The visit was part of the government's efforts to promote food sovereignty and support the Grande Irrigation Program. The program aims to enhance agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of rural communities. The Kassama site is one of the projects under this initiative.
The governor's visit to the Kassama site demonstrates the government's commitment to monitoring and supporting agricultural development projects. The site's success is expected to contribute to the region's economic growth and food security. Key stakeholders, including ONAHA officials, provided detailed explanations of the site's development and operations during the visit.
Key points
- The Kassama hydro-agricultural site has been expanded to 100 hectares, with 92.5 hectares dedicated to rice cultivation for the 2026 wet season.
- A total of 342 exploitants, including 93 women, are involved in the project, which aims to promote food sovereignty and support local communities.
- The expected yield for the 2026 wet season is 7 tons per hectare, resulting in a production of 647.5 tons of paddy rice.
