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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