FARMER PERCEPTIONS OF THE EFFECTS OF SOIL SALINITY ON AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN THE LOWLANDS OF DALLOL FOGHA, NIGER

Soil degradation due to salinity/alkalinity is a significant constraint on agricultural production, particularly in the Dallols. The general objective of this study is to assess farmers perceptions of the effects of soil salinity on agricultural production in the lowlands of the Fogha Dallol in Niger. The study is based on individual surveys of 216 farmers in 8 villages in the commune of Yelou in the Dosso region. The main results of this study showed that the local indicators of soil salinity for the farmers surveyed were whitish efflorescence on the soil (22.5%), followed by black efflorescence on the soil (18.1%), plant death (14.8%) and sometimes no growth (11.4%). Capillary rise of groundwater (12.4%), naturally saline soils (17%) and naturally saline waters (17.4%) are the primary sources of salinisation/alkalinisation of lowlands. The average area affected by salinity varies from 0.77 to 4.12 ha per farmer in Bara and NGaski respectively, with a total average of 2.36 ha per farmer. 42.4% of participants responded that salinity led to the cultivated plots relinquishment. According to 71.8% of the surveyed farmers, yield losses for all crops could reach 90% to 100%.Furthermore, the use management practices used of by the surveyed farmers include manure (10.2%) and hulls and glumes (16%). However, 59% of farmers abandoned their plots in the event of contamination. Given this situation, it would be important to test species that can tolerate salinity make this environment productive.