Abstract EN:

Located in central Niger, on the edge of the Damagaram and of Nigeria, Matameye district (department of Zinder) records a sahelo-sudanese climate featuring great irregularities in times and in space. Being on overcultivated area as well as a much inhabited one, its rural society must face serious threats : the disappearance of fallow, a marked erosion of soils, and crops which often enough show a deficit. In order to be able to meet their needs, heads of families must set up strategies : according to the feasibility they turn to commercial farming, horticulture or breeding. Markets, as trading and meeting places, ensure the spreading of crafstmen articles and manufactured intems. Due to its proximity to Nigeria, these peoples regularly migrate. The youngest brothers and the sons emigrate in order to escape the stiff authority of the Mai Gida. As a matter of fact, this rural community is of a hierarchical and septate type, needless to say, rather inequal. In view of the decrease of agricultural incomings, towards 1974, the technical and administrative authorities have launched upon this rural environment a developing project (known as the "3M" project : Magaria, Matameye and Mirria) regardless of any previous, serious, socio-economical study. The acts are being imposed without even consulting the peasants and it will be a failure that may very well leave a deep mark upon these peoples