The agriculture sector is the cornerstone of Mali’s economy and holds great promise for broad-based economic growth and opportunity. Around 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture for a living.
The number of smallholder farmers who applied improved technologies or management practices increased by a factor of 25 since 2011, reaching 378,472 farmers in 2016, one third of whom were women.
The value of targeted agricultural commodities exported with U.S. Government assistance increased by threefold in just one year, attaining a total volume of sales of $2.5 million.
Feed the Future leveraged $21.6 million in private sector capital investment in 2016 alone.
These results reflect information from U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. African Development Foundation reported into Feed the Future’s central monitoring system for fiscal year 2016 (FY16). For more information on the indicators above, please view the Feed the Future Indicator Handbook.
The agriculture sector is the cornerstone of Mali’s economy and holds great promise for broad-based economic growth and opportunity. Around 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture for a living.
Although much of the country is arid, the Niger River provides a rich base for agricultural development. The southern region has a lush subtropical climate, making it an ideal location for diversified agriculture and livestock. Localized successes in agricultural intensification and marketing demonstrate that, with improved technologies, better soil and water management, local community engagement, and an enhanced enabling environment, Mali can harness its agricultural potential to feed its population, generate economic growth, and spur regional trade. Yet agricultural yields in Mali vary considerably year to year and by region due to variable rainfall, decreasing soil fertility, and recent political and security concerns. The country also has high birth (six children per woman on average) and malnutrition rates, which contribute to poor health, high infant and child mortality rates, and diminished economic productivity. Malian diets are cereal-based and have little diversity in terms of fruits and vegetables or sources of animal protein.
The social dynamics of gender and income distribution in the household, low educational attainment, cultural norms, and access to and use of health services all contribute to low overall health and nutrition. However, the Government of Mali’s increased recognition of nutrition’s importance has resulted in renewed commitment to address it. Nutrition is an integral part of the government’s Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy currently under formulation.
Feed the Future supports the following programs, partnerships and organizations in Mali.
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