In Mali (Ségou Region), the entry theme of the PROFEIS (Promoting Farmer Experimentation and Innovation in the Sahel) programme was conservation of biodiversity, which has two sub-themes: (1) Biodiversity of sorghum and millet, which focus on farmer innovation related to developing adapted varieties, combating genetic erosion, variety conservation, endogenous diffusion of knowledge and exchange between farmers; (2) Domestication of natural forest species through innovation as regards germination of species, creating assets in the field through shortening of the growing cycle, maintenance of an appreciable rate of success and sustainable management.
Soil fertility is a cross-cutting theme, because it an essential condition for the success of innovation in conservation of biodiversity. Indeed, high yields of food crops and normal development of natural forest tree species in the field are strongly dependent on soil fertility. This is why the programme encourages farmer experimentation that associates practical conservation of biodiversity with innovations aimed at improving soil fertility.
Now the programme has opened up to other themes judged relevant in Mali, looking at both technical and socio-organisational innovation.
PROFEIS-Mali is funded by Misereor.
For French-language documentation from PROFEIS-Mali, see www.profeis.org
PROFEIS–Mali National Steering Committee / Comité national de pilotage :
n.n., IER (Institute d’Économie Rurale / Rural Economy Institute)
Amadou Dia, farmer innovator
Bakary Dao, farmer innovator
Bocari Kossibo, DNP (Direction Nationale de la Population / National Population Directorate)
Ms Coulibaly Djénébou Traoré, APCAM (Assemblée permanente des Chambres d’agriculture du Mal / Permanent Assembly of Malian Chambers of Agriculture)
Ibrahima Diakité, CNU (Coordination Nationale des Usagers d’Eau / National Coordination of Water Users) – NSC Chair
Issa Coulibaly, AOPP (Association des Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes / Association of Professional Small-Scale Farmer Organisations)
Lassana Sylvestra Diarra, ADAF-Gallè (NGO)
Ms Sylla Kadiatou Sanou, DNPIA (Direction Nationale des Productions et des Industries Animales / Nationale Directorate for Animal Production and Industry)
Ex-officio member: Ms Assétou Kanouté, PROFEIS-Mali Coordinator
PROFEIS-Mali Technical team / Equipe technique :
Ms Assétou Kanouté, ADAF-Gallè (NGO)
Bourama Diakité, ADAF-Gallè (NGO)
Ousmane Diallo, AOPP (Association des Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes / Association of Professional Small-Scale Farmer Organisations)
Samba Traoré, IER (Institute d’Economie Rurale / Rural Economy Institute)
Souleymane Diarra, AOPP (Association des Organisations Professionnelles Paysannes / Association of Professional Small-Scale Farmer Organisations)
Contact: Ms Assétou Kanouté, ADAF-Gallè (kalilouka@yahoo.fr)
