Instabilité des marchés agricoles et stratégies paysannes au Niger

This paper points out the rationality of farmers choices in Niger. Production variability, induced by climate, generates an income variability which is not compensated by fluctuations in prices. Markets structure explains why prices don't act as insurance but at the opposite as an additional source of income instability. In that context, producteurs select their farm plan so as to secure a minimum level of income. This quest for security imply a loss of productivity and lead to autarky, whereas, farmers who are not risk averse are more market oriented. We can then deduct actions of economic policy to promote development.