MONTHLY REPORT – AUGUST 2018

The project focused on the cereal value chain, with a particular emphasis on the production and marketing of maize, millet, and sorghum. The project was implemented in the Mopti and Sikasso regions, where it worked with local producer organizations, technical services, and other stakeholders to improve agricultural practices and increase market access. One of the key interventions of the project was the provision of training and technical assistance to farmers, including training in good agricultural practices, crop management, and market access. The project also worked with local producer organizations to improve their capacity to manage and market their products. In addition, the project supported the development of irrigation systems and the provision of inputs, such as fertilizers and seeds, to farmers. The project also focused on improving market access for farmers, including the development of new market linkages and the improvement of existing ones. The project worked with wholesalers, processors, and other market actors to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the market system. In addition, the project supported the development of new products and value-added products, such as flour and animal feed, to increase the income of farmers. The project also had a strong focus on monitoring and evaluation, with regular meetings and workshops to discuss progress and challenges. The project also conducted a data quality assessment mission to prepare technical services partners for the collection and submission of monitoring and evaluation data. The project also participated in the 23rd bi-monthly meeting of USAID's resilience platform partners in Mopti, where it discussed the evolution of the security situation and updated the platform directory. The project also supported the development of local capacities and systems, including the strengthening of producer organizations and the development of new technologies and innovations. The project also conducted a workshop to share its overall results and topics related to successes, challenges, and lessons learned, and recommendations for the future. The workshop brought together 41 participants, including six women, representing producer organizations, technical services, wholesalers, processors, agro-dealers, and micro-finance institutions. The project also had a strong focus on coordination and collaboration, with regular meetings and workshops to discuss progress and challenges. The project worked closely with other USAID projects and partners, including the Education Emergency Support Agency, CARE, and the Aga Khan Foundation, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the project. Overall, the Feed the Future Mali Cereal Value Chain Project made significant progress in improving agricultural productivity, market access, and local capacities in Mali. The project's interventions had a positive impact on the lives of farmers and their families, and helped to improve the overall food security and resilience of the communities in which it worked.