Fruitful orientation mission to Mali in early June 

All Dutch member organisations  and the partners we spoke with are in favour of a more intensified and harmonised collaboration between the APF members, and of connecting more firmly with other development organisations. We received suggestions for joint action to create synergies, mainly in the field of access to markets, food sovereignty en collaboration with the private sector both within Mali and from the Netherlands.

The launch of the Agri-Hub(s) focusing on farmer entrepreneurship is complementary to various existing platforms on exchange and learning. The Agri-Hub has to connect with these platforms and strengthen the ties. The idea to start by region and select Sikasso as a first Agri-Hub was confirmed by all interviewed parties.

The most important themes that were identified are:

- Access to financial services
- Access to rewarding markets
- Lobby and advocacy
- Quality of inputs, mainly seed
- Modernisation of production techniques for sustainable agriculture and livestock
- Improvement of business development services
- Improve the interaction between research and extension services in the field of agriculture & livestock

Food sovereignty

All members of APF active in Mali have activities in the field of food and nutrition sovereignty. The common denominators in the activities are :

- Working toward accessing this food sovereignty and an improvement of nutrition at household level;
- Collaboration with primary organisations of producers, especially focusing on small holder farmers;
- Working together to strengthen capacities (in governance, management, transparency and internal democracy) and for achieving a more entrepreneurial attitude of these organisations, geared at a business logic.

Chances for Dutch agri-business (based on contacts of APF members in the field)

- Sesame, Groundnuts
- Mangos and cashew nuts
- Shea nuts
- Potatoes
- Horticulture
- Animal production

About Mali

The agricultural sector in Mali, which accounts for one third of GDP, occupies two thirds of the workforce. Production of dry cereal, the staple diet of the population, is marked by very low productivity. Cereal production in Mali, however, exceeds the country’s food needs (surplus of 264,300 tons in 2005-2006). Food difficulties encountered by the population (once every three years for twenty years) would be more a problem of access due to poverty and transportation costs.
The agricultural growth is attributable to two crops, rice and cotton.

- The irrigated rice production was the only sector registering a growth of agricultural productivity in recent years continues.
- Cotton remains the number one cash crop in Mali. The sector has 200,000 family farms and 3.3 million people live directly and indirectly.
- Livestock accounts for 11% of GDP and is the third export sector, the market covers mainly the coastal countries of the sub-region. The potential for breeding is important.