Feed the Future Mali Cereal Value Chain Monthly Report

The project focused on four main interventions: IR1: Agricultural Productivity, IR2: Markets and Trade, IR3: Resilience of Vulnerable Communities and Households, and IR4: Capacities and Systems Strengthened. Agricultural productivity was increased through demonstration plots, monitoring and supervision of the production campaign, capacity building for CMDT senior staff and field agents, soil fertility management, and soil conservation activities. The project also supported the use of improved crop varieties, such as sorghum and millet, and provided training on good agricultural practices. Markets and trade were expanded through the evolution of loan disbursements to cooperatives for production, monitoring of credit reimbursement, and facilitating access to investments through partnerships between cooperatives and USADF. The project also supported the development of commercial facilitation between producers, input suppliers, and distributors to improve the use of improved crop varieties. Resilience of vulnerable communities and households was increased through support to households in Sikasso, participation in resilience meetings, and assessment of the situation after the collapse of warehouses in Barigadaga. The project also provided training on good agricultural practices and improved water management. Capacities and systems were strengthened through training in good agricultural production, improved water management, and OHADA law. The project also supported the evaluation and sustainability of financial intermediation and facilitated partnerships between USADF and targeted cooperatives. The project had a significant impact on the agricultural sector in Mali, with a 27% increase in household income among program participants compared to the control group. The project also had a positive impact on the environment, with the implementation of natural resource management practices such as vegetative bands, rock lines, and cultivating perpendicular to slopes. The project also supported the use of organic fertilizers and the establishment of soil conservation pits. The project faced some challenges, including low walls of some irrigation systems, flooding during heavy rainfall, and difficulty selling seeds due to lack of organization. However, the project was able to address these challenges through recommendations such as the establishment of a revolving fund to ensure maintenance of irrigation systems and the development of commercial facilitation between producers, input suppliers, and distributors. The project's success was attributed to the collaboration between the project team, partners, and local stakeholders, as well as the commitment of DRA/Sikasso field agents to provide data and support to the project. The project's impact was also facilitated by the use of improved crop varieties, such as sorghum and millet, and the provision of training on good agricultural practices. The project's findings and recommendations will inform future interventions in the agricultural sector in Mali, with a focus on improving agricultural productivity, market access, and resilience of vulnerable communities and households.