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estimated that natural regeneration will not be able to satisfy the fuelwood needs of the cities of Niamey and Zinder within ten yeare, ot Ma rad i within 20 years, and of Tahoua within 25-30 years. In the deneely populated areaa, fuelwood con8umption probably will have to be net in part by cutting wood on forest land. Fuelwood eztraction thus presente a serious danger to the environment around the major cities.

C. Agricultural Institutions and Seryices

1.13    The main Goyernment agencies proyiding support and technical service8 to rural producers ares the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MA/E), and the Ministry of Animal and Water Resources (MRA/H) • These two mini8trie8 represent the outcome of two major reorganizations• In 1985, the Ministry of Rural Deyelopment (MDR) was split into the Ministry of Animal Resources (MRA) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MA). Then in September 1987* the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment (MHE) was abolished, and its responsibilitles were diyided between the MRA (hereafter MRA/H) and the MA (hereafter MA/E). Ali the ministries have various technical departments covering the entire nation. The ministries have administrative and technical linka with the proyincial and district, technical and supporting seryices offices. Hierarchically* these seryices are coordinated under the provincial Govemor who reports directly to the President.

Ministry of Agriculture and Environment

1.14    The MA/E is responsible for agricultural production, forestry, fishery, and research and eztension. At the central level it has seven Directoratesi the Directorate of Eztension and Cooperatiyes; of Plant Protection; of Studies, Programming and Agricultural Statistics; of Rural Engineering; of Forestry; of Fisheries; and of Administration and Finance. These Directorates are also represented at the proyincial leyel, but only agricultural seryices are proyided at the district leyel.

Ministry of Animal and Water Resources

1.15    The MRA/H is responsible for liyestock production, water resources and hydriulic works. At the central leyel it has siz Directoratesi the Directorate of Animal Production and Industry; of Animal Health; of Water Resources; of Hydraulic Infrastructure; of Studies and Programming; and of Administration and Finance. At the proyincial leyel, the ministry is represented by two directoratesi the DDRA (Direction Dćpartementale des Ressources Animales) and the DDH (Direction Dćpartementale de l’Hydraulique)• Animal seryices are also proyided at the district leyel.

Ministry of National Education and Sclentlflc Research

1.16    The Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research (MEN/RS) is the ministry "de tutelle" for the Uhiyersity of Niamey and its Faculty of Agronomy; the Faculty of Sciences with a Department of Biology; and for specialized research institutes such as the Humań Sciences Research Institute (IRSH), the Solar Energy Organization (0NERS0L) and the Institute of Radio-Isotopes (IRI).