A long period of drought, which started in 1965/66, reached its peak in1984. This caused an accelerated soil erosion (rainfall was 150mm.), and, consequently to a desertification around the project area. Because of this people started comparing this lands - - The Keita Integrated Development Project was launched in 1984 following an accord between the governments of Niger and Italy (Project GCP/NER/028/ITA). The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has been in charge of executing the projec