Feed the Future Mali Cereal Value Chain Monthly Report

The project focuses on increasing agricultural productivity in irrigated and dryland systems, expanding markets and trade, and strengthening local capacities and systems. Agricultural productivity in irrigated and dryland systems has been increased through various activities. Monitoring of off-season rice production activities was conducted in the districts of Mopti and Djenné, with the objective of assessing the conditions for a better off-season rice production this year. The project staff met with Community Agribusiness Teams (CAT) from various villages, and all conditions were met for a better off-season rice production this year. The villages planned off-season rice production on a total area of 130 ha. Evaluation of improved-seed quantities available in Mopti was also conducted. The Mopti team assessed the stocks of improved seed available with seed producers in various districts. For millet, the assessment was made at the agricultural sub-station of Kopropen, Cooperative Unions of Amatené and Tendely, and the cooperative of BondoTena. Based on this partial inventory, millet seed availability is estimated at 45 MT of the variety Toroniou (R1). For rice, the team visited seed producers in villages of Mopti, Djenné, and Youwarou districts. In total, 138.3 MT of improved seeds is available in the following varieties: Nerica 31.5 MT, Gambiaka 61.8 MT, Nionoka 3.6 MT, Adny 28.6 MT, and Wassa 12.8 MT. Preparation of subcontracts with government extension services was also conducted. The CVC team prepared scopes of work for new subcontracts with government extension services, including the Regional Directorates of Agriculture (DRA) in Sikasso and Mopti, Mopti Rice Office (ORM), and the cotton company CMDT. An important point is the high interest of CMDT in the combination of sorghum and millet promotion as rotation crops in the cotton-cereals production systems with a renewed emphasize on soil fertility management and soil erosion control. In terms of markets and trade, various activities were conducted to expand markets and trade for smallholder farmers. Community Agribusiness Teams (CAT) training on marketing and contracting was conducted in the Mopti region. The training aimed at imparting CATs with knowledge enabling them to support POs in the rice marketing process. The training recorded 48 CAT members from 24 rice POs in Korientzé and 36 CAT members including one female in Konna. Update on World Food Program P4P's contracts with CVC assisted wholesalers was also conducted. The CVC project has facilitated the signing of a contract under the WFP/P4P project between the World Food Programme (WFP) and the wholesalers for the delivery of 490 MT of sorghum and 310 MT of millet, and for the delivery of 1,200 MT of millet. The wholesalers have delivered all contracted quantities to WFP. Identification of processing units was also conducted to link producers to new markets. CVC identified 25 processing units in Mopti Region, 13 in Sikasso Regions, and 2 in Bamako. A simple assessment tool to identify eventual needed support was developed. For the moment, 6 units have been assessed. Support to cereal buyers in formalizing their enterprise was also conducted. The CVC project encouraged and trained informal cereal traders to formalize their enterprises in order to allow cereal traders to become more credible and gain confidence in the eyes of clients and partners, have access to certain services like credit, and qualify for institutional markets. So far, 2 traders in Mopti and 3 in Sikasso have officially registered. Training of Community Agribusiness Teams and warehouse keepers on millet stock management was also conducted. The objective was to strengthen the capacities of the participants on stock management in order to improve the quality of the cereals stocked by POs. The training was attended by 78 participants including two women from 78 POs. In terms of local capacities and systems, various activities were conducted to strengthen local capacities and systems. Orientation session for CVC agribusiness coaches on POs new ledger books was conducted in Mopti and Sikasso. Training of cooperative leaders by the Agribusiness Coaches on Sell More For More (SMFM) was also conducted in Mopti and Sikasso. Environmental compliance was also ensured through various activities. Update of the agribusiness coaches on the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) was conducted in Mopti and Sikasso. Communication was also an important aspect of the project. Celebration of the International Women's day was conducted in Mpégnesso, District of Sikasso. USAID/Mali visit was also conducted in Sikasso region. Coordination and collaboration were also essential for the project's success. Various meetings were conducted