Abstract

The small farmers in the Sahelian region of West Africa face food production difficulties due to soil exhaustion and erosion, aggravated by drought and irregular rainfall. The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Nigeria, and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), India, are starting breeding programs designed to produce improved crop varieties for these conditions. However, there is a lack of scientific data on small farming practices in the region, which would affect the success of introducing and adopting these improved varieties and other advanced agricultural technologies. This project will attempt to gather factual information on small farming practices in South Mali.

Post-Project Summary

In this project, researchers conducted studies in three villages with differing levels of economic and technical development. Sakoro, Monzoudougou, and Gladié villages were selected to assess variables such as number of production units; total area cultivated; main crops grown; and, use of livestock and equipment. Researchers found substantial differences between the villages, especially in the use of animals, equipment, and cotton production. A total of 29 case studies were completed to collect information on livestock management, and agronomic and socioeconomic practices. From this data, researchers classified typical production systems as traditional, semi-intensive, or intensive. Traditional farmers were most vulnerable to insufficient food supplies. Field trials were also conducted with a variety of cereal crops to test new cultivation techniques; intercrop combinations; new planting patterns; and the introduction of cowpea as forage. Also, improved varieties of rice and groundnut were introduced and tested in villages. Research continued in a second phase.

Recipient Institution(s)