Farming systems research and extension

The IER"s Rural Production Systems Research Division (DRSPR) will implement the project"s research, training, and linkage activities. FSR/E in Mali will be expanded to two new production zones: Operation Haute Vallee in Region II in 1985 and Operations Mils-Mopti and Riz-Mopti in Region V in 1989. Each FSR program will include annual diagnostic surveys, some 50 on-farm tests per year, on-station research, and annual workshops (attended by researchers, farmers, and extensionists) to review findings and problems. To improve FSR management, DRSPR headquarters will be shifted from Sikasso to Bamako, a more central location. Two research advisors will be assigned to each field unit until Malian researchers are trained, and infrastructure expansion at Komoro Station in Region V will be supported. U.S. graduate training (a total of 13 M.S."s and 6 Ph.D."s) will be provided to DRSPR and other research personnel and to faculty of two agricultural training institutes. The project will also offer short-term training for 16 persons and study tours at international agricultural research centers or other U.S. or third-country sites, in-country seminars for researchers and extensionists, and on-the-job training. Participation in project research and training - along with other mechanisms - will strengthen FSR-related linkages among Malian research, extension, and training organizations, e.g., (1) within the research system - through collaboration in on-farm trials, training, and publication of a research journal; (2) between DRSPR, extensionists, and farmers - through extensionist/farmer involvement in FSR, extension-research coordinating committees, liaison personnel, and extensionist training; (3) between DRSPR and training institutions - through the inclusion of FSR/E in training curricula and provision of student internships; and (4) between research organizations and agricultural policymakers and planners - through information dissemination by the IER"s Division of Technical Studies. Also, DRSPR will cooperate (in research planning, training, TA, and field trials) with regional and international research institutions involved in other projects in Mali.