Mali Livestock for Growth (L4G) Monthly Report No. 43

One of the program's Strategic Value-Added Products (SVPPs) achieved a gross margin of 28,840 CFA or $58 USD under activity animal health. This represents a relatively good margin considering the time of year, as most animals have exited the intervention zones. The program set up 10 Farmer-Field-School (FFS) sites in anticipation of the upcoming "Tabaski” festival. Each site received animal feed and accessories needed for demonstrations of proper sheep fattening techniques. The FFS sites will be replicated 25 times by village animators, with an expected pool of fattened animals for the Mopti DNPIA sponsored Tabaski Market Festival on August 21st exceeding 6,000 heads. The program's seed production schemes produced 111 KG of reimbursed improved seeds, which will be distributed to producers interested in producing their own fodder for the next fattening season. In Goundam and Koro Cercles, five Producer Organizations (POs) sold 196,270 KG of fodder for a total value of 9,140,250 CFA or $18,281 USD. Fodder production can become a sustainable business if producers invest in the necessary investments. The program also supported the production of multi-nutritional licking blocks (MNLBs), with 21 POs producing 1,315 KG of MNLBs. Of these, 1,151 KG were sold for an estimated value of 826,750 CFA or $1,634 USD. The program will continue to sensitize POs on the nutritional value and benefits of producing MNLBs and facilitate linkages between fatteners and animal feed supplying companies. During the period under review, 1,427 animals were purchased by 87 POs and 39 individual producers for livestock fattening as a business. In addition, 1,186 animals were sold in the local markets for a total value of 85,885,700 CFA or $171,117 USD. This indicates that the program's clients are increasingly viewing livestock as a business. The Mopti region continues to face rising insecurity challenges, which are restricting movement for everyone, including the L4G program. Many banks have stopped or reduced their outreach to Communes due to growing insecurity, making it more difficult for clients to access needed financing. The program's Strategic Value-Added Products (SVPPs) achieved the following results: * 412 animals were vaccinated during the reporting period, with a gross margin of 28,840 CFA or $58 USD. * 196,270 KG of fodder were produced, with 101,055 KG sold for an estimated value of 9,140,250 CFA or $18,281 USD. * 1,315 KG of multi-nutritional licking blocks (MNLBs) were produced, with 1,151 KG sold for an estimated value of 826,750 CFA or $1,634 USD. The program will continue to facilitate linkages between fatteners and animal feed supplying companies, monitor upcoming trade of fodder by POs, encourage POs to consider using larger plots for fodder production, and monitor the planting of plots with dual-purpose seeds.