Cereal value chain (CVC) activity in Mali : final performance evaluation

The CVC end-of-activity performance evaluation sought to assess activity progress in the cereals sector and to inform the design of future activities under the Global Food Security Strategy country plan. Evidence generated by the evaluation allows for several conclusions. The community agribusiness teams (CATs) within POs have played an important role developing PO capacities in on-farm and post-harvest activities and in networking with other market actors and continue to do so since the end of CVC. CVC’s private sector engagement strategy with Planète Distribution has benefited farmers by compensating for missing financial market actors without displacing other actors or producing unintended outcomes, albeit only in the rice value chain. POs were able to negotiate profitable contracts with brokers and continue to do so producing substantive benefits for PO members. CVC’s support for financial intermediaries has helped facilitate expanded lending to farmers, including cereal farmers. The Association of Professionals in Financial Intermediation of Mali (APIFIMA) has added important value to this process, but it remains largely unknown by market actors. Finally, CVC’s gender mentoring program has enhanced women’s farming knowledge and participation and influence within mixed-gender POs; however, its late launch and limited coverage have reduced its impact.