Status of Farmers’ Organizations in

Watershed villages of Mali

AFRICA RISING SITES – KOUTIALA DISTRICT

SIKASSO, 26 to 27 February 2015 By Dr Birhanu ZEMADIM / Cédrick GUEDESSOU

Africa RISING annual Workshop

Work Plan

1- Target villages2- Objective of the study & methodology3- Main finding4- Conclusion and perspective5- Forwarding message

Target villages

Objective of the study and methodology

ObjectiveTo produce necessary information about the presence of FO and feasibility of watershed approach focused on land and water management practices

Methodology● Meetings with the administration of each village and the presidents of each FO● Field visits ● Investigations

Number of existing FO : 29

Years of existence

● The oldest FO is 50 years old (DOSOROLA in Zanzoni village)

● The youngest FO is 1 year old (BENKAN in Sirakele village)

Members of FONumber of Members

● The largest FO had 450 members (N’Golonianasso)

● The smallest FO had 14 members(Sirakele / Nampossela)

Ethnicity of the members

● For 55.2% of the FO members are exclusively from Minianka ethnicity. In other cases they are associated with Fulani, Bambara, Senufo, Sarakole, Touareg and Bobo.

Nature of the FO

Inclusion of members of others village

FOs’ character

Reasons of establishment

● 41%: to be stronger while being together

● 24%: to work to develop the agriculture

● 24%: to develop the village

Main objective

● To make agriculture, gardening and stock farming together

● To increase members’ interest

Specific roles of the FO

● To promote collective work for sustainable agricultural development● Knowledge sharing between members● Mutual support● To facilitate access of members to the CMDT and to the banks.

Support to members

● 41%: FO provide financial assistance and nature to their members in case of temporary difficulties● 38%: FO provide fertilizer, seeds and pesticides to their members●17%: FO provide no help to their members

FO’s management: Leaders’ Team

● All of the FO are managed by a leaders' team headed by a president

● 79% of FO presidents were men (37 ÷ 62 years old)

● 21% of FO presidents were women (50 ÷ 60 years old)

FO’s management: Conflict resolution

Select ModeLeaders’

team● 62%: Several criterion

● 38%: By vote

Membership● 35%: Free membership selection based on trust● 31%: Consensus● 21%: By vote● 13%: Farmer, seller or cotton producers only

Rules for members

● Regular payment of financial contributions● No delay or absence tolerated during a meeting and a working group● Respect of other members

Socio economic

● 97% of FO Impact on the flow of information● 72% impact on family● 76% impact on nutrition● 62% impact on crops production● 42% impact on market● 24%impact on water

Crops grown information

● Main crops: cotton, maize, sorghum, millet and groundnuts● First priority crop for women’s association: Rice● First priority crop for men’s association and mixed association : Cotton● Cash crop: Cotton

Agricultural input information

● Seeds: Cotton seeds come mainly from the CMDT. The other seeds come from NGOs, Partner Institutions, local market or family selection

● Fertilizers and pesticides: Fertilizers and pesticides are mainly used for cash crop and come mostly from CMDT

Production information

● As reported by farmers, the production for cotton is about 1.1 T/ha, 4 T/ha for maize and 6 T/ha for millet● For 43% of the FO, the agricultural production is increasing ● For 57% of the FO, the agricultural production is decreasing

Crops sold information

The cash crop is cotton. It is sold almost immediately after harvest and priority to the CMDT. The others crops are family food warranty and are sold only in the excess spread or in cases of extreme emergency

Land and water management practices

● Land management practices: Use of grass and wood to fence the field (known since 20 years) / Stone bund in high erosion zones (known since 40 years)

● Water management practices: Use of wells (14%) / Use of dam (4%) / No water management practices (83%)

● CBT practices: CBT technology is not known in the region. So FO need to be informed about it and be accompanied

Water use information

Agricultural production is mostly rainfedFew villages experience shallow well for irrigation (Zanzoni, one of the FO added the use of a well for supplemental irrigation for dry season crops)

Major constraints

Main partners

Conclusion and perspective

Conclusion● Limited knowledge in conserving rainwater and reducing soil erosion●CBT technology is the preferred one but not widely known

PerspectiveAn awareness of different social strata on the importance of land and water management practices and show them the technologies to improve land and water management

Forwarding message

1- Objective: Study of the feasibility of watershed approaches focused on land and water management practices2- Conclusion: Local communities require strong support to conserve rainwater and reduce soil erosion3- Perspective: Show the importance of land and water management practices and the technologies available for wider dissemination

Thank you for your attention