Abstract

Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world. Farming systems research has played an important role in improving basic agricultural productivity in the country. Phase I of this project was mainly concerned with collecting baseline data from several communities, training staff in farming systems research methodology, and in establishing specific experiments. The objectives of Phase II are to design and conduct research to increase food production in the villages of Southern Mali; to increase cotton, groundnut, and maize production through improved cultural techniques; to improve the management of animal herds; and to develop and test improved water management, soil conservation and soil fertility technologies.

Post-Project Summary

In Sakoro, Monzondougou, and Gladié villages, farmers and researchers collaborated to conduct replicated field trials with cotton, groundnuts, maize, sorghum, millet, and rice. When experiments with maize and manure in Sakoro showed the potential for considerably increased yields, the Compagnie malienne pour le developpement des textiles (CMDT) provided credit, maize seed, and fertilizer to a number of farmers. These farmers were able to increase maize, cotton, sorghum, and groundnut yields; become self-sufficient in food production; and sell their surplus crops. In Monzondougou and Gladié, yield improvements were not as great. However, farming systems were modified with the introduction of upland rice and herbicides. On-farm trials of a forage variety of cowpea were conducted in Gladié where severe shortages of animal feed occurred during the dry season. Local phosphate rocks were used as fertilizer. Research continued in a third phase.

Recipient Institution(s)