President Tiani Visits Saguia Amont Hydro-Agricultural Site

Niamey, December 2, 2025 - President General Abdourahamane Tiani inspected the Saguia Amont hydro-agricultural development site near Niamey on Wednesday, highlighting ongoing efforts to boost local food production and support farmers.

Welcomed by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, the Governor of the Niamey Region, and the Director General of the National Office for Water and Sanitation (ONAH), the President met with 410 farmers to review the rehabilitation of the 105.29-hectare site.

The rehabilitation aims to increase rice yields from 6 to 9 tons per hectare. Works focused on upgrading the pumping system, which includes three pumps with a combined capacity of 540 m³ of water per hour, as well as reinforcing two sections of dikes, the pumping station shelter, 12 km of irrigation and drainage networks, access roads, and housing facilities.

Funded under the national Large-Scale Irrigation Program at a cost of 902,634,016 CFA francs (excluding taxes), the site is now fully operational. Initial estimates post-rehabilitation indicate an expected production of approximately 790 tons of paddy rice, up from 578 tons before the works, while reducing production costs per hectare from 190,000 to 135,558 CFA francs.

President Tiani also toured the rice silo and cooperative headquarters, engaging with producers about the varieties cultivated and the challenges faced. Established in 1973 with Libyan support, the Saguia Amont irrigation scheme remains a critical component of Niamey’s food security and agricultural development strategy, particularly for the city’s 5th district.