TİKA Advances Rural Development in Niger

Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA), in collaboration with the Niger Ministry of Agriculture, has established boutique mills equipped with grinding machines in three villages in the town of Aguié, located in the Maradi Region. These mills aim to serve not only the more than 20,000 residents of Aguié but also the neighboring villages.

In the rural areas of Niger, where agriculture and animal husbandry remain the primary livelihoods, traditional methods still dominate daily life. In the Maradi Region, known for its agricultural production potential, TİKA is addressing the inefficiencies of traditional grinding practices—especially the significant time and labor burden placed on women and girls—by introducing modern solutions.

In collaboration with the Niger Ministry of Agriculture, TİKA has established boutique village mills in three villages in the town of Aguié, located in the Maradi Region, which also serve neighboring communities. These mills, with a grinding capacity of 400-500 kilograms per hour, have been equipped with fuel, oil, cabinets and seating. Furthermore, leadership boards comprising prominent women from the villages were formed to oversee the mills’ operations and ensure their sustainability. Comprehensive training was also provided to these boards.

Serving 20,000 People

Modern mills, designed to ease the lives of over 20,000 residents, were officially handed over to the Aguié District Governorate during a ceremony on November 20, 2024. The event brought together regional administrators and TİKA representatives.

This project aims to address the significant time and labor challenges associated with meal preparation and food storage, particularly for women and school-aged girls. By replacing the exhausting, hours-long grinding process traditionally done using wooden mortars, the mills reduce the workload on women and enable children to engage more fully in daily activities without compromising their education.

Advancing Rural Development with Technology

The boutique village mills established with TİKA’s support align with the Nigerien government’s policies to enhance rural livelihoods and serve as a model for promoting modern agricultural technologies within local communities. Beyond streamlining agricultural production processes, the project seeks to elevate the quality of life for rural populations.