Abstract

Farming systems research has an important role to play in improving basic agricultural productivity in Mali, one of the poorest countries in the world. Phase I of this project collected information from several communities and trained staff in farming systems research methodology. In phase II, researcher and farmer-managed trials of a maize, manure and fertilizer package resulted in increased cereal production in the village of Sakoro. In phase III, the package will be tested in four additional villages. Researchers will identify constraints to increased crop and animal production; and design and conduct research and farmer-managed tests to reduce these constraints.

Post-Project Summary

Building on the work done in the first two phases of the project (77-0058 and 81-0141), the researchers developed a typology for distinguishing the various types of farm operations: the "traditional" group (Sakoro), the "intermediate" group (Monzondougou), and the "intensive" group (Gladié). In each village, the researchers proposed and conducted on-site testing of techniques aimed at overcoming the constraints identified. The technological packages adopted by the peasant farmers substantially increased grain yields. The corn yield in the village of Sakoro increased from 0.5 to 2.5 tonne/ha. Animal production also improved owing to the combatting of diseases and better feeding during the dry season. A study done in 1985/86 revealed that the majority of farmers were self-sufficient in food, versus a small percentage in 1983. Neighbouring villages began to adopt the techniques introduced in the three test villages.

Based on the priority constraints identified and for which technical solutions had been implemented in Gladié, draft solutions were tested over a wider area (Bougouni region) in four "pre-extension" villages. The research team proposed the themes and provided the necessary technical assistance, the region's extension team provided the inputs and follow-up, and the peasant farmers assured implementation. After two years, the peasant farmers expressed their satisfaction with the cooperation and assessed the proposed innovations. The inputs allocation was fully recovered from the earnings realized.

The project helped train Malian management personnel (applied science engineers, agricultural engineers and farm instructors) in the systems approach, providing supervision for 11 graduate and senior students. The research results were presented at the second seminar-workshop on animal draught power in West Africa (Freetown, September 1986), during a visit to the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, to technical commissions specialized in rural production systems, and at the 24th Session of the Comité national de la recherche agronomique. Work continued in a fourth phase (86-0268).

Recipient Institution(s)