CBA Niger: Intensified Goat Breeding to Help Vulnerable Women Adapt to Climate Change Effects (N'Niyat)

This Community-Based Adaptation project focuses on the women of the 14 villages of Tamalolo, an area in the Zinder Region of Niger. Women make up 51 percent of the population there (2,216 residents), and are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Goat breeding, an ancient tradition and an important source of income for local women, has ben hit hard by climate change effects. Changes in weather patterns have led to deficient cereal and fodder production, and recurring floods have decimated the zone’s livestock. Additionally, an increase in violent winds that cause sand dunes and glacis to invade farm lands has led to land degradation, wind and water erosion.

As a result, the communities’ farming, pastoral and agricultural production has become uncertain, and poverty levels, particularly amongst women and children, are on the rise. The reduction in goat breeding caused by climate change is forcing women to pursue income-generating activities such as small trade (sale of doughnuts, condiments, boule, straw, firewood, etc.). This shift in activities is contributing to land degradation and preventing communities from reaching previous levels of goat breeding.

To address the population’s extreme vulnerability, this project focuses on reducing degradation and protecting the affected ecosystem to improve living conditions in the site area. Sustainable practices developed for women, such as goat herding, should simultaneously increase family incomes and improve Tamalolo’s ecology and biodiversity.

The Tanout-based NGO N’NIYAT, together with the target community, is implementing this project. This NGO is familiar with the Tamalolo area and is aware of the problems being experienced by the populations in this zone. Specifically, the project will take on awareness raising campaigns and trainings (particularly for women) on the effects of climate change and on fodder (stray and farming by-products) conservation techniques. It will identify the most vulnerable women in the area who would most benefit from goat breeding (280 women total) and assist with the process of acquiring and managing goatherds and livestock food inventory. Three livestock feed stores will be constructed, including one per zone, and an initial stock of livestock will be purchased. Finally, women will be trained women to recognize and diagnose the most common goat illnesses and identify their symptoms, and to understand the importance of vaccination and treating the animals.

Together, these activities will make the Tamalolo zone more resilient to projected climate change impacts, thereby decreasing the vulnerability of the ecosystem and improving the community’s food security and livelihood conditions.This Community-Based Adaptation project focuses on the women of the 14 villages of Tamalolo, an area in the Zinder Region of Niger. Women make up 51 percent of the population there (2,216 residents), and are extremely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Goat breeding, an ancient tradition and an important source of income for local women, has ben hit hard by climate change effects. Changes in weather patterns have led to deficient cereal and fodder production, and recurring floods have decimated the zone’s livestock. Additionally, an increase in violent winds that cause sand dunes and glacis to invade farm lands has led to land degradation, wind and water erosion.

As a result, the communities’ farming, pastoral and agricultural production has become uncertain, and poverty levels, particularly amongst women and children, are on the rise. The reduction in goat breeding caused by climate change is forcing women to pursue income-generating activities such as small trade (sale of doughnuts, condiments, boule, straw, firewood, etc.). This shift in activities is contributing to land degradation and preventing communities from reaching previous levels of goat breeding.

To address the population’s extreme vulnerability, this project focuses on reducing degradation and protecting the affected ecosystem to improve living conditions in the site area. Sustainable practices developed for women, such as goat herding, should simultaneously increase family incomes and improve Tamalolo’s ecology and biodiversity.

The Tanout-based NGO N’NIYAT, together with the target community, is implementing this project. This NGO is familiar with the Tamalolo area and is aware of the problems being experienced by the populations in this zone. Specifically, the project will take on awareness raising campaigns and trainings (particularly for women) on the effects of climate change and on fodder (stray and farming by-products) conservation techniques. It will identify the most vulnerable women in the area who would most benefit from goat breeding (280 women total) and assist with the process of acquiring and managing goatherds and livestock food inventory. Three livestock feed stores will be constructed, including one per zone, and an initial stock of livestock will be purchased. Finally, women will be trained women to recognize and diagnose the most common goat illnesses and identify their symptoms, and to understand the importance of vaccination and treating the animals.

Together, these activities will make the Tamalolo zone more resilient to projected climate change impacts, thereby decreasing the vulnerability of the ecosystem and improving the community’s food security and livelihood conditions.