Niger : Tele-Irrigation, a Local Solution to Climate Challenges in the Zinder Region

In Niger’s Zinder region, the Lassouri RAMSAR site plays an essential role for communities in 21 surrounding villages. But with longer droughts, unpredictable rainfall, repeated flooding, and increasing pressure on natural resources, protecting this ecosystem has become a serious challenge.

To help address this, the Lake Chad Basin Conservation Project (PCBLT), funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Alinea International, in collaboration with the Lake Chad Basin Commission and other partners—is supporting an initiative led by the social enterprise Tech-Innov: the setup of an Integrated Eco-Digital Farm, using a tele-irrigation system.

A Technology Designed for Rural Areas

Tele-irrigation allows farmers to control irrigation remotely with a mobile phone. The system adjusts the amount of water based on the type of crop, weather, and plant growth stage. It collects real-time data like temperature, humidity, rainfall, and evapotranspiration to distribute water more efficiently. It also tracks environmental indicators such as energy use, soil carbon, and carbon footprint.

This technology helps ease the workload of farmers, save water, and strengthen the resilience of small-scale producers—especially important in a country where 80% of irrigation is still done by hand.

Putting It into Practice in Lassouri

At the Lassouri site, Tech-Innov is planting a green barrier with over 3,000 fruit trees and forage crops along 2.5 kilometers, covering 60,000 square meters.

These crops are watered automatically with the tele-irrigation system, which helps stabilize the soil, reduce sand encroachment, lower flood risks, and support sustainable use of natural resources. This effort is part of a wider strategy to strengthen community resilience, especially around food security, nutrition, and economic stability.

The work is organized into six steps: preparing and securing the land, bringing in water, installing the irrigation network, setting up the tele-irrigation system, and two phases of community support. The first steps are done, and the irrigation system is now being installed.

A Well-Received Approach

The idea has been met with strong interest. “We’re excited to turn our phones into farming tools,” says a young resident of Lassouri. For many, this is a practical solution to challenges like youth leaving rural areas, the heavy demands of farm work, and water scarcity.

One local father shared: “We finally have a way to improve our living conditions while protecting something we all depend on—the Lassouri site.”

What It Could Change

Tech-Innov’s work supports a long-term approach to sustainable farming in Niger. Expected results include:

• 60% water savings
• 150% increase in crop yields
• 80% time savings and 65% energy savings
• Fewer greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O)
• New jobs, more support for women, and better access to school for girls
• Real-time environmental monitoring
• Encouraging young people to stay in their communities

Looking Forward

In its 2024–2027 strategic plan, Tech-Innov hopes to scale up tele-irrigation, get certifications (like low-carbon and CE marks), and work with more partners to support research and expand the solution.

By combining simple technology, sustainable farming, and local adaptation, tele-irrigation is offering a real and local answer to climate challenges in the Lake Chad region while helping improve daily life for rural communities.

This article is based on information shared by Abdou Maman Kané, Director of Tech-Innov, as part of his collaboration with the PCBLT project.