Feeding the future: Millet and sorghum grains make big gains in Mali

USAID delegation visited Mali to see impacts from projects undertaken by three CGIAR institutions

A recent study revealed that sorghum and millet yields increased up to 51% and 72% respectively during the period 2014-2019 in Mali. This was achieved by enhancing farmers’ knowledge of and improving their access to available productivity-enhancing technologies, including seed treatment, integrated soil fertility, Striga management, biological control of the millet head miner, open-pollinated varieties and hybrids of sorghum and millet, and so on. This was part of the project ARDT_SMS¹, wherein three CGIAR centers – World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and ICRISAT – collaborated.

A total of 48 tons of certified seeds was distributed among project beneficiaries in order to disseminate improved varieties through Farmer Field Schools and demonstration plots. Seed multipliers under project supervision have produced more than 403 tons of certified seeds, resulting in a total of 68,299 hectares being covered by above improved technologies. 10,799 demonstration plots were established in Sikasso and 34 Innovation Platforms were set up (29 in Sikasso; 5 in Mopti). In all, 285 villages covered for 1,500 beneficiaries.