Niger launches subsidized rice sale to promote food sovereignty

The Governor of the Agadez Region, General Ibra Boulama Issa, launched a subsidized sale of locally produced rice in Agadez, Niger, on November 6, 2026.

This initiative provides the local population with access to three varieties of rice: Bondourey, Dambou, and Brabous-Ko. The Office National de l'Aménagement des Terres et de l'Habitat (ONAHA) supplied 90 tonnes of rice, equivalent to 3,600 bags, for this phase of the operation.

The rice was grown by Nigerien farmers and processed at the Riz du Niger (RINI) factories. The Governor stated that the sale represents a political commitment to food sovereignty and aims to encourage citizens to support domestic producers. The Fonds de Solidarité pour la Sauvegarde de la Patrie (FSSP) provided a financial contribution of 300,000,000 CFA francs to support the purchase of paddy rice from national producers, its processing, and its sale at subsidized prices.

This operation is part of a broader program covering eight regions in Niger, with the goal of reaching at least 100,000 households. Officials noted that the project aligns with the government's Refondation program, which seeks to develop production bases for economic sovereignty and create jobs for youth and women. The rice was produced through irrigation projects supported by the state, specifically in areas such as Tillabéri and Diffa.