La première Agri-Hub a Sikasso, Mali
La première Agri-Hub a Sikasso, Mali from Africa Interactive on Vimeo.
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.
La première Agri-Hub a Sikasso, Mali from Africa Interactive on Vimeo.
The Agri-Hub in Mali started in June of this year with an exploratory mission. Now, five months ahead, a big Multi-Stakeholder Workshop was held in the city of Sikasso to bring everyone together and talk about their plans for cooperation in the future.
Christel Schiphorst is in Mali this week to look at the possibilities of setting up an Agri-Hub. Sikasso is a good location as it offers many opportunities for collaboration, having at least 26 Pôles d’Entreprise in place. SNV is also positive: L’initiative des Agri Hub est à cet effet une excellente opportunité pour tous!