Pampaida, Nigeria

The Pampaida cluster is located in the northern Nigerian state of Kaduna. Livelihoods in the four villages are mainly based on pastoralism and small-scale agriculture. The region receives between 400 and 600 millimeters of rain annually. During the rainy season the rivers spill their banks, creating low-lying seasonally flooded areas which villagers use to grow rice.

The community is predominantly made up of Hausa farmers and Fulani cattle raisers. Sixty percent of the population is Muslim and the rest is Christian. Both groups have co-existed peacefully for over a century.

Pampaida has been subjected to mass desertification and other forms of land degradation caused by a range of factors including acute and widespread poverty, predisposition to frequent droughts, and pressure from human and livestock populations. For three to five months each year, the region experiences food shortages. The nearest clinic is 10km away from the cluster, and no source of electricity exists except for a few private generators.

More Highlights

• Average maize yields have increased significantly from 0.8 to 3.5 tons per hectare. Levels of chronic malnutrition among children under two have decreased by 45%, and malaria prevalence was slashed in half for all age groups.

• At the same time, 10 small satellite schools were constructed.

• The Nigerian Government completed work to connect Pampaida to the town of Sauwala, and the Project tarred 12 kilometers of road.

• There was no access to improved drinking water nor sanitation when the Project started in 2006 but they have now shot up to 71% and nearly 30% respectively.

• Mobile phone coverage was brought to Pampaida and 35% of households now own a phone.