Key challenges in smallholder cereal-legume-livestock systems: Mali
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Transcript of Key challenges in smallholder cereal-legume-livestock systems: Mali
Key challenges in smallholder cereal-legume-livestock
systems: MaliE. Weltzien
Africa RISING West Africa Review and Planning Meeting Tamale, Ghana, 23-25 October 2012
Food basket of Mali – Millet & Sorghum – 37% of national production Maize – 63% Cotton – 95% (Koutiala is cotton capital of Mali)
Strong influence of CMDT on Farming systems in Koutiala and Bougouni (inputs, services, promotion of animal traction for cotton production)
Intensifying systems in terms of use of inputs
Brief background on project region - Sikasso
Key Issue: Predominance of young population with children almost 20% of the population and about 75 % below 30 years in some “communes”
Key Challenges – Malnutrition of children under 5 years Household labour for farming because young people
are highly mobile with tendency to move to urban centres (rural exodus)
Socio-economic & Institutional challenges
Key Issue: Crop farming and livestock are the main sources of household income in Koutiala and Bougouni with cotton the leading source
Key Challenges – Value addition of agricultural products particularly
cereals Vulnerability to market shocks due to heavy
dependence on revenue from cotton Diversification to reduce dependence on cotton
Socio-economic & Institutional challenges
Agric. Input Koutiala (% household) Bougouni (% household)
Inorganic fertilizer 97 96
Pesticide 89 91
Vet drugs 86 94
Improved Seed 63 75
Key Challenges – Access to agric. inputs for crops other than cotton
and access to financial services Strengthening farmers’ associations and private input
suppliers to reduce dominance of CMDT Seed systems including planting materials
Key Issue: Transhumance is important in both locations particularly for cattle with presence of herders from the Sahel
Key Challenges – Increased competition over pastures and water
leading to farmer-herder conflict Strengthening the capacity of local institutions in
conflict management, and in documentation and enforcement of local conventions
Socio-economic & Institutional challenges
Key Issue: Major constraints to crop production in the study sites are insufficient agricultural inputs, unfavourable climatic condition and soil degradation
Key Challenges – Integrated soil & water management e.g. increasing
soil organic matter , nutrient & water use efficiency Enhancing productivity for household food security
via improved varieties and agronomic practices Post harvest management to reduce loss
Biophysical challenges
Key Issue: Major constraints to livestock production in the study sites are feed scarcity, diseases and low genetic potential of local breeds
Key Challenges – Bridging the feed gap through food-feed crop, fodder
production including shrubs, crop residue management, strategic supplementation
Maintaining traction animals in good body condition Access to veterinary services, improved management Upgrading local breeds
Biophysical challenges
Africa Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation
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