Large parts of Africa are blighted by drought, poor harvests and hunger, leaving many local residents reliant on external food aid.

But in Niger, a country which is facing a famine in some regions, one group of women are trying to grow a sustainable future.

A new charity programme where women plant seeds in southern Niger has been a huge success during its first nine months.

Women are growing food for their families on once barren land, and gaining pride in the process.

Al Jazeera's Alan Fisher reports from Niger.