DES CUVETTES PRODUCTIVES AUX CUVETTES INONDEES : CONSEQUENCES SOCIOECONOMIQUES DES INONDATIONS DANS LES CUVETTES OASIENNES DE KOJEMERI AU NIGER

Oasis basins are strategic areas for rural populations in the Sahel due to their agricultural productivity and their role in household resilience. However, since the 2010s, these areas have been increasingly affected by flooding that disrupts their production systems. This study analyzes the socioeconomic consequences of flooding in the Kojemeri oasis basins, located in the Goudoumaria department, Diffa region (Niger). The study is based on socioeconomic surveys conducted with 92 farmers, as well as a comparative analysis of farm accounts to assess changes in production costs and revenues before and during flooding. The results show that these hydrological changes lead to a reduction in arable land, a shortening of the agricultural season, a decrease in farmers incomes, and a near-total cessation of natron extraction. Annual economic losses are estimated at nearly 14 million CFA francs for the two basins studied. The observed impacts extend beyond the agricultural sector alone, also affecting community solidarity mechanisms, commercial activities, and the resilience of rural households. In light of these developments, the implementation of appropriate strategies for managing excess water and securing oasis systems appears essential to limit the economic and social impacts of flooding.