Agricultural Practices Promoted and Adopted in Mali: Results of a Survey of Nongovernmental Organizations and Focus Groups of Farmers

Farmers in Mali constantly adapt their agricultural practices to respond to these changes, often adopting practices that address multiple objectives such as soil fertility and moisture retention. A survey of 30 nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) based in Bamako revealed that many focus their activities in the southern regions of the country, likely due to the sparse population, logistical challenges, and political insecurity in northern Mali. NGOs in Mali generally take a conservative approach to adaptation, building on current practices and addressing immediate concerns. They promote practices that address soil fertility, moisture retention, supplemental water, or agroforestry, with more than 70 percent of the NGOs interviewed promoting at least one such practice. Direct application of manure and composting were the most common practices to strengthen soil fertility, while NGOs also disseminated improved cereal, legume, and vegetable varieties. Farmers in Mali must balance trade-offs among many constraints when deciding whether to adopt a practice, with labor and cost frequently being most critical. They tend to value practices that address multiple objectives and are known, low-input practices that fit a range of contexts. The rate at which a particular practice is adopted appears to be associated with the resource intensity of that practice, with farmers avoiding practices that require higher levels of labor and technical knowledge. However, a number of costly and knowledge-intensive practices, such as chemical fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides, are used by farmers with the support of national agencies but are not promoted by NGOs. The adoption of practices also varies among male and female farmers, with different practices being adopted at different rates in different villages. The local context in which NGOs work and the livelihoods of the populations they target are the most important factors to consider when choosing practices to promote. Understanding which practices are adopted and why can assist in tailoring support to farmers as they continue to adapt to climate change.