Feed the Future Mali Cereal Value Chain Monthly Report

To achieve this goal, the project strategy focuses on disseminating improved technologies through farmer demonstration plots. These plots are established in partnership with agro-dealers and seed companies, and both producers and private sector input providers conduct hands-on trainings in the field for farmers. Monitoring of the rice demonstration plots and data collection revealed that the main problem causing delays in applying best agronomic practices on targeted plots was the frequent break-down of irrigation pumps, especially in the PIV of Kouin. The project team led by the CVC Specialists in rice and millet/sorghum value chains conducted a monitoring mission of demo plots in the village irrigated perimeters (VIP) of Kouin and in Bargondaga 2. The technology introduced consisted of intensified rice cultivation system (SRI), using improved rice variety of Adny-11, and UDP (Urea Deep Placement). The geo-location of demonstration plots is crucial in developing a network of field sites for the continuous training and upgrading of producer skills and the diffusion of the latest input technologies. Coaches gathered geographical coordinates (longitude, latitude, and altitude) of the millet demo plots in Mopti (Koro and Bankass districts). Coordinates of 20 CVC implemented demo plots were recorded, and the activity aims to geo-locate and develop a map of all demo plots established in 2016 by CVC in the Mopti region. Hands-on trainings on millet were organized in September 2016, with 165 millet producers (including 87 women) from 19 producer organizations participating in the demo plot trainings. The producers and Agri-Business Coaches discussed various demonstrated technologies, including improved variety of millet seed (Toroniou), the use of Apron star, millet-cowpea association production system, and best production practices (spacing seedlings, thinning). The producers appreciated receiving training on good vegetative condition for plots and the importance of applied technology packages and their contribution to increasing productivity. The project aims to build the capacity of VIP association/cooperative members in the management and maintenance of irrigation pumps and canals in Mopti. A training session of management committees was held to discuss good irrigation practices in VIP, with 40 participants (including 6 women) participating in the training. The topics presented and discussed included different elements of an irrigation network and their functional roles, degradation risks of irrigation and drainage networks, protection and mitigation measures, good irrigation management strategies, and the importance of establishing and managing maintenance funds for irrigation equipment. The project also focuses on improving the technical capacity and skills of the team on agro-processing and agri-business development. Reinforcing the CVC-USADF partnership and the cereal value chain actors is also a key objective. Two ceremonies were held in Koumantou and Finkolo Ganadou for the signature of grant agreements between USADF and cooperatives supported by CVC. The grant agreements aim to make the cooperatives "investment ready" and better prepare them to benefit from on-going CVC support focused on formal bank loans, market and marketing development.