A small group of youth from Niger learned a fast-paced composting technique. Their learnings are not only helping return profits but are also helping sustainably improve agriculture in their villages. More importantly, the composting business has allowed the members of the group to eke out a living in their villages without having to migrate for it.

1. Newsletter
Happenings
In-house version 30 April 2021, No.1904
Capacity building
Smallscale composting can help put the brakes on youth
immigration in Niger
With 70% of its population under 25, Niger has one
of the youngest populations in the world. Most of
this West African nation's young people have limited
access to technical training, advice on job orientation
and inadequate work opportunities. As a result, youth in
rural areas migrate to cities and neighboring countries in
search of jobs. In its efforts to address the exodus,
Government of Niger considers youth employment as
one of its fundamental priorities to develop the country
and reduce poverty.
In 2019, a USAID-funded project, Development Food
Security Assistance program (DFSA/GIRMA) of Catholic
Relief Services (CRS), was initiated to improve and
sustain food and nutrition security while building
resilience among poor households in Niger. It also aimed
to develop youth agricultural entrepreneurship in Zinder
region. Later in August 2020, over 150 rural youth joined
an entrepreneurship incubation program at ICRISAT’s
incubation center in Sadoré. The youth were
participating in their first practical training in integrated
Fararou Ousmane operating his CAV.
Photo: Ibrahima Abdoussalam, ICRISAT
Funder: USAID, CRS/ICRISAT Agreement
A small group of youth from Niger learned a fast-paced composting technique. Their learnings are not only helping
return profits but are also helping sustainably improve agriculture in their villages. More importantly, the composting
business has allowed the members of the group to eke out a living in their villages without having to migrate for it.
This work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals