Archives

The present study is focused on diagnosis of the association millet/Acacia senegal in western Niger.
The aim objectives are to: (i) determine the size of farms; (ii) evaluate the performance of crops in
association with A. senegal; (iii) analyze the small holder’s perceptions of crops/A. senegal
association. It was monitored through semi-structured interviews in the localities of Kokoyé (Tera)
and Kiki (Makalondi). The interviews were administered to small holders as well as through the
different social classes (youth, adults, old people and women). It appears that four (4) crop
production systems namely monocropping system, mixed cropping, crop and A. senegal association
and fallow with an average per farm respectively area 1,69 ± 1,77 ha; 5,94 ± 5,25 ha, 3,43 ± 3,10
and 1,87 ± 1,48 ha. Millet, sorghum, cowpea and sesame are the main crops grown in association
with A. senegal (37,04%) with an average area respectively of 4,56 ± 3,87 ha, 3,02 ± 3,02 ha, 5,05 ±
4,86 and 2,99 ± 3,04 ha and average production respectively of 588 kg/ha; 702 kg/ha; 24,62 kg/ha
and 195,4 kg/ha. The low yield is observed in the locality of Kokoyé for all crops although it
possesses the largest size of farm. As a farming practice, the agroforestry systems based on A.
senegal trees offer an alternative to fertilizer which are increasingly inaccessible to poor small
holders.
Keywords: Association; crops; Acacia senegal; Productivity