ABSTRACT
In Niger, nomadic pastoralists were estimated to number 782,000 in 1981, or 16 per cent of the rural population (Republic of Niger, 1978). Most herders live in the pastoral zone, a band of territory 200 to 300 km wide between the Sahara desert to the north and the agricultural zone to the south (Figure 10.1). The region receives little rain (100 to 300 mm per annum), unevenly distributed but falling mainly in July and August. This rainfall supports a sparse cover of vegetation, consisting essentially of thorn trees, shrubs and a grass cover which is green only during the rains. From the end of September the grass, which is the main food supply of the animals, diminishes in nutritional value as it dries up. The hot, dry season is in September and October, followed by a cold season from the end of November to February. A very hot season follows, with daily maxima surpassing 42°C, lasting until the onset of the first rains in June. Map Showing the Location of the Study Area in the Republic of Niger https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9780203839188/66d6dea0-8894-47c1-a924-0c7e2274aa14/content/fig10_1_B.tif" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"/>
