The governor of Zinder region, Colonel Massalatchi Mahaman Sani, recently visited the Kassama hydro-agricultural perimeter to assess the progress of the ongoing agricultural campaign. The perimeter, located in the rural commune of Albarkaram, has undergone rehabilitation and is expected to yield a significant harvest. The visit allowed the governor to witness firsthand the results of the rehabilitation efforts and the promising prospects for rice production in the 2026 wet season.
The Kassama perimeter was initially developed in 2013 by the National Office for Hydro-Agricultural Development (ONAHA) with state funding. Further rehabilitation work was carried out in 2024-2025 under the Large Irrigation Program (PGI), also funded by the national budget. These efforts have increased the perimeter's developed area from 65 to 100 hectares, enhancing production capacity and providing new opportunities for local producers.
The site currently supports 342 farmers, including 93 women, organized into four groups. These farmers come from eleven surrounding villages and are structured around a cooperative society and an Irrigation Water Users Association. For the 2026 wet season, 92.5 hectares are dedicated to Gambiaka rice, while the remaining area is planted with maize. ONAHA has provided the farmers with a working fund of 50 tons of fertilizer, including urea and NPK.
According to technical data, the expected yield is 7 tons per hectare, resulting in a projected production of 647.5 tons of rice paddy. Harvesting is scheduled to begin on November 15, 2026. During his visit, the governor expressed satisfaction with the level of development and water availability for irrigation. He praised the farmers for their remarkable work and noted that technical experts anticipate better yields than in the previous campaign.
The governor highlighted the availability of water, noting that the rice crops are not experiencing any supply issues. He also observed that the irrigation canal and reservoir have sufficient water reserves. The governor announced plans to showcase the rice produced at Kassama during the traditional fair held in the last decade of Ramadan.
Ayouba Harou, president of the site's farmers, reported that the current campaign is progressing relatively smoothly despite weaker rainfall this year. To ensure water supply, the mini-dam has been continuously opened for over three months. He expressed gratitude to the authorities for their investments in the Large Irrigation Program, which has enhanced the rural communities' food autonomy.
The farmers' president emphasized that they feel more independent, producing and consuming their own local rice. He prayed for the protection and blessing of the President of the Republic. With a more substantial harvest anticipated, the region is optimistic about its food security prospects.
Key points
- The Zinder region expects a harvest of 647.5 tons of rice paddy from 92.5 hectares of land in the Kassama hydro-agricultural perimeter.
