Amended in November 2013 REQUEST FOR PROJECT/PROGRAMME FUNDING FROM THE ADAPTATION FUND The annexed form should be completed and transmitted to the Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat by email or fax. Please type in the responses using the template provided. The instructions attached to the form provide guidance to filling out the template. Please note that a project/programme must be fully prepared (i.e., fully appraised for feasibility) when the request is submitted. The final project/programme document resulting from the appraisal process should be attached to this request for funding. Complete documentation should be sent to: The Adaptation Fund Board Secretariat 1818 H Street NW MSN P4-400 Washington, D.C., 20433 U.S.A Fax: +1 (202) 522-3240/5 Email: [email protected] 1 Amended in November 2013 PROJECT/PROGRAMME PROPOSAL TO THE ADAPTATION FUND PART I: PROJECT/PROGRAMME INFORMATION CATEGORY: ORDINARY PROJECT COUNTRY: NIGER PROJECT TITLE: ENHANCING RESILIENCE OF AGRICULTURE TO CLIMATE CHANGE TO SUPPORT FOOD SECURITY IN NIGER, THROUGH MODERN IRRIGATION TECHNIQUES TYPE OF INSTITUTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION: REGIONAL INSTITUTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION: WEST AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK (BOAD) INSTITUTION (S) OF EXECUTION: MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AMOUNT OF FINANCING REQUESTED: USD 9 911 000 (EQUIVALENT IN DOLLARS) CONTEXT AND GENERAL FRAMEWORK OF THE PROJECT/PROGRAM: Provide brief information on the problem the proposed project/programme is aiming to solve. Outline the economic social, development and environmental context in which the project would operate. Sahelian and landlocked country with the closest point to the sea located approximately at 600 km, Niger covers an area of 1.267.000 km² and lies between longitudes 0 ° 16' and 16 ° East and latitudes 11 ° 1' and 23 ° 17' North. 3/4 of the country are occupied by deserts of which the Ténéré which is among the most famous deserts in the world. Between 1988 and 2010, Niger's population has nearly doubled from 7, 256,626 to 15,203,822 inhabitants (NSI, 2010) of which 80% are rural. With an average rate of 3.45% between 1990 and 1999, one of the world's highest, the average population growth greatly exceeds the rate of agricultural growth in the country, estimated at 2.2% in recent years. Figure 1. Administrative Regions of Niger (Source : Vierri, T., 2004) The average population density is low (6.5 inhabitants / km2), but this value masks (Source : Vierri, T., 2004) 2 Amended in November 2013 significant disparities, most of the population (about 75%) being concentrated on 12% of the territory, in the south of the axis Niamey-Zinder, creating a large population pressure on an agro-pastoral environment deemed fragile. The country's economy remains dominated by the agricultural sector which participates in the GDP for approximately 40% and employs 90% of the working population. Agriculture is the main economic activity of the country; it provides some 16% of the exports. Although relatively diversified, it remains dependent on internal and external isolation and is penalized by high population growth, more austere ecological environment, limited resources, widespread poverty and the high exposure of the country to the negative impacts of variability and of climate change. ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD INSECURITY IN NIGER The variability and climate change are major constraints for the development of Niger, since they have a direct impact on food security of the country, especially in rural areas. The food crises in Niger are in fact the result of deficits in grain production because of constant and repeated rainfall deficits combined with environmental factors, and human parasites. The country is characterized by high variability both with regard the spatial and temporal climatic parameters as well as rainfall. This has recently led to rainfall deficits resulting from recurrent droughts. Over the past forty years, the country has had seven droughts that have had an impact on agro-pastoral production. This has severely affected the food security and socio-economic life of the country. With significant food deficits, Niger cannot provide adequate food for its population. It is heavily dependent on grain imports and food aid. In 2005 and more recently in 2010, the population has faced a serious food crisis, following a decline of about 13% of agricultural production in 2009 due to drought in 2004 and 2009 (malnutrition has affected about 32% of the population). The thorough analysis of the climatic situation and that of natural resources (land, water, soil, vegetation) reveals that since the 1973 drought (which was obviously strong), the environmental degradation has accelerated to an unprecedented rate. This degradation has caused not only the reduction of the productive potential of "natural resources capital", but also the disintegration of secular systems of production and management of natural environment. The consequences of this evolution are dramatic. The finding being established that "land no longer feeds man". There is food insecurity, the decrease in revenues, what explains a high rate of poverty in Niger. Information gathered in 2012 on the prevalence of malnutrition and the proportion of people affected at the regional and departmental levels of food insecurity are indicative of the fragile situation of the country, in terms of nutrition. Prevalence of malnutrition The SMART nutritional survey of June-July 2012 shows that the nutritional status of children under 5 years remains a concern. The global acute malnutrition rate among children of 6 to 59 months rose from 12.3% in June 2011 to 14.8% in June 20121. This rate is very close to the emergency threshold of 15% set by WHO. This threshold is exceeded for four particular areas: Diffa (16.7%), Tillabery (16.6%), Maradi (16.2%) and Zinder (15.9%). The severe acute malnutrition rate has experienced a larger increase since it has increased from 1.9% in June 2011 to 3.0% in June 2012. This means that the situation is almost back to the level of prevalence 1In accordance with WHO recommendations, the 2012 SMART survey takes into account all children from 0 to 59 months unlike previous years where only children from 6-59 months were considered. Thus, a comparison with previous years remains indicative because having a bias.In accordance with WHO recommendations, the 2012 SMART survey takes into account all children 0 to 59 months unlike previous years where only children 6-59 months were considered. Thus, a comparison with previous years remains indicative because having a bias. 3 Amended in November 2013 observed in June 2010 (3.2%), consecutive to poor harvests of the 2009 season. The regions of Agadez (1.8%) and Dosso (1.9%) are close to the 2% when the threshold is surpassed for all other regions except Niamey region. Diffa, Tillabery and Zinder have, in turn, a prevalence varying between 3.2% and 4.3%, a prevalence by far higher than the emergency threshold of 2% recommended by WHO. According to the WHO classification on malnutrition, Diffa (44.7%), Tahoua (41.5%), Maradi (50.9%) and Zinder (49%) are in a critical situation (Chronicle Malnutrition > 40%). The regions of Tillabery (34.1%), Dosso (39.1%) and Agadez (30.3%), with prevalence between 30 and 40% find themselves in situation considered serious. By gender, acute malnutrition affects more girls (21.0%) than boys (17.6%) of the same age for the moderate form as the severe form National population in food insecurity - At regional level Under the aegis of the national system of prevention and management of disasters and food crises (DNPGCCA), an estimate of vulnerable populations in various regions of Niger was made in 2012. The results indicate that the high proportion of vulnerable populations is Tillabéry (27%). Tahoua and Zinder follow with 19% of vulnerables, each. Dosso and Maradi regions follow the peloton with 14% and 11% of vulnerable estimated population. Agadez and Diffa have low proportions of vulnerable estimated people (4% and 5%). The Niamey region has the lowest proportion of vulnerables. It should be noted that the majority of the vulnerable population are affected by food insecurity both in post-harvest (41%) and in lean period (62%). The results show, in addition, that on a total of 2, 736,645 vulnerable populations in post-harvest, 764,742 people are food insecure, or about 28% of the vulnerables. In total, 34% of the vulnerable people are severely food insecure (SFI) against 66% moderately food insecure (MFI). The food insecurity map is presented below. Figure 2: Food insecurity map of Niger It is important to note that despite the small proportion of vulnerable people registered for Agadez region, compared to other regions, the estimates show that about 30% of the villages in the region are in deficit 4 Amended in November 2013 situation. In addition, the proportions of these vulnerable populations in food insecurity increase, compared to the post-harvest period. People in SFI is about 46% against 54% in MFI. - At the departmental level At the national level, almost no department is spared by food insecurity. Some experience it repeatedly and others, according to the aspect of the campaign. A historical analysis of the vulnerability note of Early Alert System (EAS) allows grouping departments into two categories according to their level of vulnerability: 1. Departments with recurrent vulnerability (16 departments are involved): Ouallam, Tillabery, and Fillingué Tera (Tillabery region) Tchintabaraden, Abalak, Keita, Bouza, Illela (Tahoua region) Dakoro (Maradi region) Tanout (Zinder Region) N’Guigmi, Maïné Soroa, Diffa (Diffa Region) Tchirozérine, Arlit (Agadez Region) 2. Conjuncturally vulnerable departments (18 departments are involved): Tahoua, and Birni Konni Madaoua (Tahoua Region), Guidan Roumdji Madarounfa Aguié, Mayahi, Tessaoua (Maradi Region), Say and Kollo (Tillabery Region), Dosso, Loga, Doutchi and Gaya (Dosso Region) Matameye Mirriah, Magaria, Goure (Zinder Region).