SAA’s SHEP training sets Malian farmers on a journey to prosperity
Sounkoura Traore, a member of the Mintiguila Cooperative, based in the Koulikoro region of Western Mali, says the training he received from SAA under the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) strategy has transformed his outlook of agriculture, and improved his income.
Samanko’s garden becomes a center of discovery for students
The sun-drenched fields of the Samanko Agricultural College Center are alive with vibrant greenery from an inspiring vegetable garden comprising okra, potatoes, onions, and carrots. The garden is at the heart of the newly established Enterprise Center (EC), a visionary project made possible by SAA-Mali’s unwavering support as part of its contribution for innovation, learning, and entrepreneurship.
SAA transforms rural cooperative
Two years after SAA delivered a sheller to the Nieta Cooperative in the Kamalé Kakélé Village of Western Mali, there is evidence of empowerment and progress. The sheller was acquired with matching fund from the SAA with the Cooperative contributing 20% of the cost.
SAA Board Chair Oniang’o, meets partners, farmers during Mali visit
The SAA Board Chair Prof. Ruth Oniang’o visited Mali from March 5-12, 2023 where she met and exchanged ideas with national partners, donors, SAA intervention beneficiaries, farmers, and staff and management of SAA-Mali. With the aim of strengthening the partnerships and exploring areas of collaboration, the Chair held fruitful discussions with partners including the National Directorate of Agriculture
Facilitating access to agricultural credit for women in Mali
The Siranikoto Production Post Harvest and Trade Center (PHTC), supported by SAA-Mali, has 41 groups of Community Savings for Investment in Agriculture (CSIA). Each group constitutes an average of 20 members and the groups saved 4,773,400 FCFA (USD7,343) in 2022
Changing producer’s mindsets in Mali through SHEP
On 20-23 November 2022, SAA-Mali organized a training-of-trainers (ToT) for Commodity Association Trainers/Traders (CATS), Extension Agents, and lead farmers in Fana, Doila Region. The aim of the training was to build commercial capacities through the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP)
Activities in Mali
Sasakawa Africa Association-Mali implements various activities along the Market-Oriented Agriculture component. These activities include capacity building on community-based seed multiplication, contract farming, market research, organizing a national seed fair, cooperative management, and business development
SAA Mali supports students in action-oriented research
The Supervised Enterprise Project (SEP) is an important component of the demand-driven curriculum for students at SAA’s partner agricultural universities and colleges. Students, who are mainly extension agents, conduct the action-oriented research projects to address agriculture related challenges faced by rural communities…
Award winning agri-entrepreneur becomes a role model for youth in Mali
Using ICT to enhance Mali’s seed sector efficiency
In the last three years, SAA has been keenly working on transforming Mali’s seed sector through the promotion of digital technologies.
