Mali agricultural sector assessment; final report

THIS REPORT CONTAINS A DESCRIPTION OF THE AGRICULTURAL SECTOR AS WELL AS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF MALI. THESE ARE: (1) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE RESOURCES ALLOCATED FOR TECHNICAL, ECONOMIC, AND SOCIAL RESEARCH. (2) THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AGRICULTURAL PERSONNEL IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE SHOULD BE INCREASED BY ASSESSING AGRICULTURE-RELATED DOCUMENTATION, CREATING A LOW-COST PUBLICATIONS PROGRAM, EXPANDING RADIO MALI RURAL PROGRAMMING, AND IMPROVING TRAINING SERVICES WITHIN MOST OPERATIONS. (3) THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON LOW-COST METHODS OF INCREASING THE PRODUCTIVITY OF DRYLAND FARMING, RATHER THAN UNDERTAKING HIGH-COST IRRIGATION PROJECTS. (4) THE OFFICE DU NIGER SHOULD CONSIDER EXPANDING IRRIGATION IN AREAS CLOSE TO SEGOU, RATHER THAN REHABILITATING IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN QUESTIONABLE AREAS. (5) CROP CONSERVATION TECHNIQUES AT THE FARM LEVEL SHOULD BE EXPANDED SO AS TO PROTECT HARVESTS AGAINST INSECT AND RODENT DAMAGE. (6) MORE ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO DEVELOPMENT OF ATTRACTIVE MARKETS AND FACILITIES ADEQUATE FOR COMMODITY MOVEMENTS OF CEREALS AND EXPORT CROPS. (7) OFFICIAL PRODUCER PRICES SHOULD BE INCREASED FOR CASH CROPS, NOTABLY COTTON AND PEANUTS. (8) UNTAPPED LOCAL LABOR AND MATERIALS SHOULD BE EMPLOYED IN SMALL-SCALE PROJECTS SUCH AS CONSTRUCTION OF IRRIGATION CANALS, DIKES, AND BUILDINGS. SEVERAL OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN SPECIFICALLY FOR U.S. AID.