EUCORD has been sub-contracted by the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) in Mali to assist with the implementation of the AGRA funded “Achieving pro-poor Green Revolution in dry lands of Africa: Linking Fertilizer Micro-dosing with Input-Output Markets to Boost Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods in Mali“. Other partners include ICRISAT and a local NGO Voisins Mondiaux. EUCORD is focusing on the diffusion of micro-dose fertilization technology in rainfed crops including millet, sorghum, maize and others. Micro-dose fertilization allows for a more efficient and cost-effective application of fertilization resulting in higher yields using the same or less amount of fertilizer. This technology is particularly relevant given the current high cost of (imported) inorganic fertilizers.

As part of its program to improve the supply chain to animal feed mills in Mali, PRODEPAM (Agricultural Development project in Mali) contracted EUCORD to assist with the procurement of 400 MT of good quality maize for delivery to COPROMA (Co-operative of Animal Feed Manufacturers of Mali). EUCORD selected 90 producers which farmed a total of 103 hectares resulting in a total production of 400 tons of maize. EUCORD facilitated access to seed and fertilizers. Draft agreements were translated in the local (Bamankan) language and discussed in groups meetings.

Under IER’s Groundnut Program, EUCORD, working in partnership with the NGO Kilabo, signed an agreement with IER to train groundnut seed multiplication farmers in the production of improved seed varieties provided by ICRISAT and IST. This activity is on-going since 2005 in 4 villages in the districts of Dialakoroba and Sanankoroba. More specifically, EUCORD has identified collaborator sites and farmers, followed up with the extension agent of Kilabo and trained multipliers on best cultivation practices, harvesting and post-harvest requirements, including storage of groundnut seeds.

The goal of this 3-year project, which started in 2005, is to popularize improved techniques of collection and storage of rain water. The project also trained farmers in soil fertility management in order to increase food production. The specific objectives of the project are to refine and popularize water harvesting techniques: (1) to support the adoption of farming systems which optimize the interaction between water and nutrients through a participatory extension approach; (2) to strengthen the capacity of research organizations, NGOs, extension services and the private sector to support the agricultural intensification; and (3) to ensure the sustainability of the innovations being introduced by the project. EUCORD selected project sites, set up demonstrations, trained the producers, organized field days, developed training materials and arranged for follow-up, evaluation and project reports. EUCORD printed booklets and data sheets for information to the broad public.

The Office du Niger (ON) is the main irrigated rice producer in Mali, with a potential of more than 1,000,000 ha of which only 10% are exploited. Since its reorganization in 1994, the ON focuses on the training of rural councils, assists farmers in gaining access to inputs, farm equipments and water management. In addition to rice, horticulture is an attractive income opportunity to ON farmers. From 1994 to 1998, favorable conditions lead to nearly a tripling of shallot production, from nearly 30,000 MT in 1994 to more than 80,000 MT in 1998. Exploring the feasibility of green bean production was a logical next step. The focus on green beans was directly related to the identification of Dutch importers who were ready to purchase a minimum of 5,000 MT of green beans (Bobby variety). Key constraints to the exports were timely production (harvest during the period February-April), cold chain transport and cost of air transport.

A feasibility study was undertaken by EUCORD and Winrock International during 2004 and 2005. The main results of the study were:
• With the average price of 1.92 Є/kg Bobby “Paulista” given by the potential importer, the profit margins (excluding the margin of the exporter) varied between 25 and 40% depending on the volume of exports.
• In order to be eligible for exports towards the potential customers, the following requirements were noted: (a) EUREP-GAP certification of the Bobby green bean production process, (b) respect for the delivery periods in Europe and (c) the importance of transport conditions.

Following a diagnostic study carried out in the Segou, Koulikoro and Mopti regions, EUCORD’s affiliate, Winrock International forged a partnership with local NGOs (Sigignogonjè/World Neighbors, Kilabo and GRAT). The objective of the partnership was to introduce an inventory credit program in Mali and, at the same time, strengthen the capacity of local NGOs to guide such programs. Winrock ended its involvement in July 2003. However, thanks to EUCORD the activities could continue. Presently, there are four village banks operating, and each of the banks has a vibrant inventory credit program. The success of the program has allowed the banks to provide credit for other purposes than commodity storage, e.g. for irrigation equipment, seeds and fertilizers. Presently, the four banks serve more than 67 villages. The credit program serves as a powerful incentive for farmers to organize themselves into rural associations. The Tissala bank demonstrated that with an initial loan of 15 million CFA, farmers were able to completely refund the loan within 5 years (including an 8% interest rate). Similarly, the farmer members of the banks in Timissa, Diorila and Nafadji completely refunded the original loan on time.

In 2002, Winrock and EUCORD started a corn hybrid-testing program in Mali, in close cooperation with IER’s Maize Program and other partners such as OHVN, CMDT, the Société Cigogne SA and NGOs Kilabo and AMATEVI. During the crop season 2002-2003, 17 hybrid maize varieties (originating from South Africa) were tested at IER’s research station as well as at its substations around the country. At the conclusion of these tests, three 3 hybrid varieties were identified as best adapted to the agro-ecological conditions of Mali: SNK2911, CRN3549 and SNK2778. From 2003, EUCORD continued this program by on-farm testing and demonstrations. An evaluation of about 200 producers demonstrated the positive impact of the program: 51% preferred SNK2911, 24% CRN3549 and 13% SNK2778. Thus, the vast majority of the producers preferred the hybrids because of the good seed quality, superior germination rates, drought resistance, and grain size.

Since its introduction in 2004, the demand of maize seeds has grown exponentially. From a mere 600 kg in 2005, the quantity of hybrid corn seed sold passed to 5 MT in 2006. In 2007-08, as much as 20 MT has been sold by the Société Cigogne in the Sikasso and Koulikoro regions. EUCORD has organized smallholder co-operatives in order to procure the hybrid seeds more easily. Thus, hybrid maize is now well established in Mali. Société Cigogne, responsible for marketing, has designed a local maize hybrid multiplication program. EUCORD is proud to have been instrumental in achieving this critical step forward in Malian agricultural development.