The public irrigated perimeters installed on the banks of the Niger River and supplied with water by underground springs are often the only economic and social units that ensure a dignified standard of living in their areas of influence. These areas are threatened by the severe degradation of hydro-agricultural installations, a process that is worsening, exposure to climatic hazards and environmental threats (erosion and silting, which exceed the current protection capacities of the actors), as well as by insufficient self-management capacities.

In order to stabilise the socio-economic and security functioning of these perimeters in the long term, the feasibility study of the MIIPAC Project defined the general design for the rehabilitation and modernisation of public irrigated perimeters (up to about 20 perimeters: a total of 3,500 to 4,500 ha) in five regions (Tillabéry, Niamey, Dosso, Tahoua and Maradi). The choice of irrigation schemes was made based on objective criteria developed by this study.

The objective of the study was to lay the foundation to realise the rehabilitation of the perimeters in an area of 5,439 ha. In addition to the modernisation of the areas and their development, the Project focused on job creation and value chain development through a public-private partnership.

The MIIPAC Project had four components:

1. Rehabilitation and modernisation of Public Irrigated Areas (with consideration of renewable energy);

2. Accompanying measures (Development for a sustainable exploitation of the perimeters);

3. Development of value chains;

4. Implementation of the project by a coordination unit and supported by Technical Assistance provided by an international consultant in consortium with a national or regional office.