Good Millet/Sorghum Production Practices and Technologies

MONTHLY REPORT – MAY 2018

FEED THE FUTURE MALI CEREAL VALUE CHAIN PROJECT CONTRACT NUMBER AID-688-C-13-00002 COR USAID: AMADOU DIANE CHIEF OF PARTY: RICHARD COOK

DISCLAIMER The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.

CONTENTS IR1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN IRRIGATED AND DRYLAND SYSTEMS INCREASED ...... 5 Technology Development, Dissemination, Management and Innovation ...... 5 Intensive production of high quality manure and the promotion of protection measures for lowlands and dams ...... 5 GOOD MILLET/SORGHUM PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES ...... 6 Soil erosion control actions in millet/sorghum production ...... 6 Building the capacity of seed companies in seed marketing ...... 6 IR2: MARKETS AND TRADE EXPANDED ...... 6 Capacity building of cereal processing units and wholesalers in business management and marketing ...... 6 Promoting bulk sales in producer organizations (POs) ...... 7 Reimbursement of loans for the 2017 cropping season ...... 7 Increasing awareness of key transport documentation and procedures for cereals trade in Mali ...... 7 Building trainer capacity in Timbuktu and Mopti regions on marketing and credit management ...... 7 Creation of millet/sorghum National TRADE Association OF Mali ...... 8 IR3. RESILIENCE OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS INCREASED ...... 9 Sub IR 3.1: Income streams diversified and asset building strategies employed ...... 9 Support in the management of S4C funds and information on S4C (Saving for Change) ...... 9 Nutrition Data Collection ...... 9 Sub IR 3.2: Drought resilient cropping systems adopted at scale...... 9 Training on composting in Tombouctou and Mopti...... 9 Producer training on climate change adaptation strategies ...... 9 Sub IR 3.4: Community literacy, numeracy, and nutrition practices improved ...... 10 IR4. LOCAL CAPACITIES AND SYSTEMS STRENGTHENED ...... 11 Audit 2017 of Nyéta Conseils and Gforce ...... 11 Training sessions on Sell More For More ...... 11 Meeting with Agricultural training institutes...... 11 Monitoring of training activities carried out by the technical services ...... 11 GENDER ...... 12 Mission to heighten awareness of actors ...... 12 ENVIRONMENT ...... 12 Training on waste management (rice residues) ...... 12 Training of agro-enterprise staff (traders, cooperatives and processors) in the management of storehouse pests ...... 13 MONITORING & EVALUATION ...... 13 Guiding training staff of Faranfasi-So company on M&E data recording ...... 13 Consultation for the 2018 annual survey ...... 13 COMMUNICATION ...... 13 COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION ...... 14 Participation of CVC in the official launch of the VOICE "Ni Yoro Gini' project’s activities in Natien (Sikasso) ...... 14 The 22nd meeting of the projects of the platform ...... 14 Participation in the training of public and private sector service providers organized by PASSIP ...... 15 3

ACRONYM LIST

APIFIMA Association des Professionnels en Intermédiation Financière du Mali B2B Business to Business BNDA Banque Nationale de Développement Agricole CMDT Malian Textile Development Company CRS Catholic Relief Service CVC Cereal Value Chain Project DAP Di-ammonium de Phosphate DRA Direction Régionale de l’Agriculture (Regional Direction of Agriculture) DRCC Direction Régionale du Commerce et la Concurrence EESA Education Emergency Support Agency FtF Feed the Future GAP Good Agricultural Practices GIZ Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (German Overseas Aid) Groupement National des Commerçants (National Association of GNC Millet/Sorghum Wholesalers) GSAN Support Groups for Nutrition Activities ICRAF World Agroforestry Center IESC International Executive Corps Service IFDC International Fertilizer Development Center KJK Keneya Jemu Kan (Health Information) L4G Livestock for Growth LOA Agricultural Guidance Act Programme d’Assistance de Sous-Secteur d’Irrigation de Proximité (Support PASSIP Program for Local Irrigated Sub-sector) PO Organisation Paysanne (Producer Organization) PERSUAP Pesticides Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plan PPP Public Private Partnership ADR Regional Development Agency S4C Saving For Change SRI Système de Riziculture Intensif TOR Terms of Reference VIP Village Irrigated Perimeter WFP World Food Program

During the reporting period (from April 21 to May 20, 2018) the CVC project’s activities focused on three key components: (i) creation of the National Association of Millet/Sorghum Wholesalers1, ii) advisory support to promote bulk cereal sales, credit repayments and “Saving for Change” groups and (iii) training sessions which focused on the following topics: • Lowland rice producer training, • Training of trainers on climate change and hygiene/sanitation, • Capacity building of millet/sorghum producer POs on management of post-harvest operations, • Strengthening seed producer and distributor capacity in seed marketing techniques, • Training in business management and marketing, • Training producers in the preparation of millet, cowpea and moringa-based local recipes.

IR1: AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY IN IRRIGATED AND DRYLAND SYSTEMS INCREASED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT, DISSEMINATION, MANAGEMENT, AND INNOVATION Intensive production of high quality manure and the promotion of protection measures for lowlands and dams To intensify the use of organic fertilizer as well as the sustainable management of lowland and dam areas, CVC, in collaboration with DRA (Regional Directorate of Agriculture) of Sikasso, conducted in the Sikasso Region the training of lowland rice producers on “Deep Urea” placement, production techniques for manure pits, anti-erosion protection measures for lowland areas and dams, and good agricultural practices. The training involved 887 producers, including 793 women. Diffusion of Intensive rice productions system (SRI) techniques in low-land areas In Bougouni and Sikasso, through a contract between CVC and the Rice Platform of Sikasso (local training organization), the project organized training sessions on SRI techniques for low-land rice producers, presented by local trainers using training posters developed by CVC. A total of 819 producers, including 23 men, from 11 POs, benefited from the training. The main topics addressed during the training included: (i) the application of organic fertilizer, (ii) seeding practices (seedlings in spaced seed holes: 25x25 cm, (iii) thinning for optimum plant densities: 7- 12 days after lifting (1 plant per seed hole), (iv) plot maintenance (field cleaning and weeding), (v) fertilizer application (two bags/ha); one bag of DAP after weeding and one bag of Urea 30 days after seeding and (vi) rice harvesting techniques.

1 Photo cover page: President and Executive Committee of the National Association of Millet/Sorghum Wholesalers, April 30, 2018. 5

GOOD MILLET/SORGHUM PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES Post-harvest operations management In the Sikasso Region (Bougouni, Kadiolo, Koutiala, Sikasso and Yorosso districts), the project carried out training of millet/sorghum POs on post-harvest management. A total of 710 producers, including 224 women, from 19 POs benefited from the training. The main objectives were to strengthen capacity of millet and sorghum producers in the management of reducing post-harvest losses and maintaining cereal quality standards (millet, sorghum) during harvesting and storage. The topics presented, included: i) definition of basic concepts (threshing, storage, and conservation), ii) activities before/during/after cereal storage, iii) identifying cereal pests and preventive measures, iv) short-term and long-term curative treatments, v) maintenance of storage infrastructures (stores and attics) and vi) assessing the quantity of cereal required for a household's annual consumption. Soil erosion control actions in millet/sorghum production In the Sikasso Region, (Bougouni, Koutiala Sikasso, Yanfolila and Yorosso districts), CVC, in collaboration with the Malian Textile Company (CMDT) trained millet/sorghum producers on erosion control measures. Approximately 4,000 producers benefited from the training. The themes covered included: i) soil erosion and different erosion phenomena; ii) types of erosion; iii) causes and consequences of soil erosion; iv) actions to limit runoff (stone bunds, grass trips, trash lines, live fences; and vi) and contour ridges around fields to control runoff. After the theoretical training, a practical phase involved the identification of types of erosion in producer fields (traces of runoff) and the practical construction of stone bunds and trash lines. Building the capacity of seed companies in seed marketing Within the framework of partnerships between CVC and national seed companies, the project trained seed producers and seed distributors of the SOPROSA Sarl and Dounkafa Sarl companies in business management, including seed marketing techniques. A Total of 60 producers and distributors received the training (25 men and 5 women in Mopti; 28 men and 2 women in Sikasso). The objective was to strengthen capacity of seed producers and distributors in seeds marketing techniques and market research with the objective of broadening their reach in providing quality, certified seed to producers. Topics included: i) seed storage and conservation, ii) seed marketing, iii) seed sale management, iv) commercial negotiation, v) management and control of seed supplies, and vi) cash flow and managing seed orders. IR2: MARKETS AND TRADE EXPANDED Capacity building of cereal processing units and wholesalers in business management and marketing In Sikasso and Mopti regions, CVC trained agribusinesses in business management and marketing. The training aimed to strengthen the managerial skills of business entrepreneurs who benefited from CVC supported services for the development of business plans. This was an opportunity to develop and present themes such as: (i) basic accounting, (ii) bank credit management and (iii) marketing/commercialization. The sessions were led by a trainer/member of the Association of Professionals in Financial intermediation of Mali (APIFIMA), which CVC assisted in creating and continues to support. In Sikasso, 21 participants, including 7 women received training. Trainees included 3 male traders, 5 representatives from 4 agricultural input companies, 8 representatives, including 2 women, of 8 producer cooperatives and 5 women

IR3. RESILIENCE OF VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS INCREASED SUB IR 3.1: INCOME STREAMS DIVERSIFIED, AND ASSET BUILDING STRATEGIES EMPLOYED Support in the management of S4C funds and information on S4C (Saving for Change) In Sikasso (Finkolo Ganadougou and Niena), the project supported women's groups in the management of social funds collected within the framework of S4C (Saving for Change) activities. Under the assistance of CVC-based Agri- Business coaches, 52 members of two S4C groups shared $3,752.73 (2,064,000 FCFA).

In Sikasso and Kadiolo districts, the project undertook a mission to assess S4C activities. The mission collected data, through the use of focus groups with local and village authorities, female leaders, and women members of the S4C groups. Data were collected from 74 participants, including 57 women, in the communes of Nièna, Finkolo Ganadougou (Sikasso) and Zégoua (Kadiolo). The participants included 10 locally elected officials, including three women, 10 village chiefs and advisors, nine female leaders and 45 women members of the three S4C groups. Data collection continues in the commune of Loulouni (Kadiolo) and at the end of data collection, data will be analyzed to provide insights on how best to provide support to more S4C groups as CVC moves towards its final closeout in October. Nutrition Data Collection In Sikasso (Bougouni Koutiala, Sikasso) districts, CVC collected nutrition-related data. Data collected by CVC Agri- Business coaches showed that the 90 producers exploited 55.40 hectares of cowpea for a production of 9.6 MT and that 6.5 MT of cowpeas were stored for family consumption in 13 POs.

SUB IR 3.2: DROUGHT RESILIENT CROPPING SYSTEMS ADOPTED AT SCALE During the reporting period, the project conducted two types of training: i) high quality pit composting and ii) training on climate change adaptation strategies. Training on composting in Tombouctou and Mopti In Timbuktu (Niafunké) and in Mopti (Koro and Bankass), CVC organized cascade training of producers on composting. This training involved 449 producers, including 290 women, from Tombouctou representing 9 POs, and 811 producers, including 342 women, in Mopti representing 16 POs. It was conducted by local trainers in collaboration with project coaches. Producer training on climate change adaptation strategies The project adopted two types of approaches for climate change related training: (i) training of trainers, led by the project based environmental compliance manager and, (ii) cascade training of producers led by local trainers. In Diabaly (region of Segou) and Koutiala (Region of Sikasso, the project organized two training sessions for 64 producers (including four women) on adaptation actions to attenuate the effects of climate change. The CVC project based environmental manager animated those training sessions. Eleven agribusiness coaches participated in that training. 9

IR4. LOCAL CAPACITIES AND SYSTEMS STRENGTHENED 2017 Financial Audit of Nyéta Conseils and Gforce AE2C conducted an external audit 2017 for Gforce and Nyeta Conseils for the period of January 1 to December 31, 2017. On May 4, a debriefing meeting was held in the CVC Bamako office where auditors presented progress made since last audit, new findings, and recommendations. CVC will provide USAID a final audit report by the end of May 2018. Training sessions on Sell More For More In Sikasso (Bougouni, Sikasso, Kadiolo and the area of Alatona (Ségou)), the project led training sessions on ACDI/VOCA’s Sell More For More modules that reached 191 participants, including 133 women, representing in six POs, including four female POs. The modules developed focused on the organization of producer cooperatives and cereal marketing. The specific topics discussed included: (i) Assist cooperatives to improve their management and governance skills, (ii) Assist participants in identifying market opportunities, and (iii) Evaluate and strengthen negotiating skills for commercial contracts Meeting with Agricultural training institutes Within the context of strengthening and transferring knowledge and skills between the CVC project and universities and agricultural training institutes, CVC organized a field trip that met with the IPR-ISFRA institute of Katibougou, the University of Ségou and the Agricultural Training Institute of Koutiala in order to exchange with them on possibilities of sharing training materials. Discussions with universities and agricultural training institutes paved the way for a collaboration with CVC to share the SMFM approach. A training workshop, scheduled in Ségou for June, will involve professors from agricultural training institutions, and will focus on presenting S4C concepts for incorporation into institutional curricula. Monitoring of training activities carried out by the technical services In Sikasso, CVC and the Malian Company for the Development of Textiles (CMDT) of Sikasso organized a joint mission to monitor training undertaken in the district of Bougouni. The objective of the mission was to increase the effectiveness and outreach of producer training. The mission supervised four training sessions involving 72 producers from four POs, that included 26 women. The mission follows an evaluation of the training program of CMDT- Sikasso, which showed a low rate of achievement (19%), representing only 830 producers trained, of a target of 4,369. The mission involved: the head of training and support for POs of the CMDT-Bougouni, the CMDT- Bougouni based director of Statistics/M&E, the CVC Bamako based training and capacity building director, the CVC-Sikasso based training manger and trainee and the Agriculture manager in Bougouni.

The mission monitored 13 POs, including eight POs trained by the Malian Textile Development Company (CMDT) and five POs trained by the Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA) in Sikasso region. The objective of the mission was to increase the number and effectiveness of producer training sessions and collect training data in a timely way to enable data entry into the CVC database. The following recommendations were made: (i) carry out all training sessions by May 15, (ii) involve more young people and women in training sessions, (iii) extend training sessions to additional household members (youth and women), (iv) train producers for not more 2 hours per session, (v) forward training data sheet to the CVC Sikasso weekly, and (vi) register the names of all trained persons and all activities carried out in the POs registers.

GENDER The CVC project continued to focus on involving women and vulnerable groups in millet/sorghum, rice, financial services, and trade activities during this reporting period. Compared to the target of 50% female participation across program areas, women and vulnerable groups participation rate was collectively estimated at 85% for the reporting period. In fact, the newly created National Association of millet/sorghum Wholesalers elected two women among its executive staff. The mentoring process initiated by the project appears to be having a “snowball effect” within CVC assisted mixed POs (those having both men and women members). Mixed PO leaders are thinking and finding the best strategies to integrate women and youth into cooperative activities. They all appear committed to developing gender mainstreaming in cooperative activities and are planning to provide positions to women in cooperative decision- making bodies. CVC trained mentors are informing and heightening the awareness of all targeted mixed POs on the LOA “Agricultural Guidance Act” which recommends providing 15% of agricultural land to women, young people, and vulnerable groups. The LOA also promotes also gender-equality access to nominative and elective functions within POs. It is a process, gaining momentum, positioned to continue well beyond the end of the project. Mission to heighten awareness of actors The CVC based gender director conducted a mission to Bankass and Koro (Mopti) and to Finkolo Ganadougou and Niena (Sikasso) to: (i) inform beneficiaries about the gender approach of the project and the nutritional value of incorporating cowpea into routine household meals, and (ii) exchange with participants, roles and responsibilities of decision-making in the household and the management of cereal grain stocks for household consumption. ENVIRONMENT Training on waste management (rice residues) In Ségou (Niono), the project organized training on waste management (rice residues). It aimed to strengthen the capacity of 25 participants, all men (two managers of de-hulling units, three traders and 20 producers) to minimize the impact of by-product wastes, specifically related to rice, on the environment and to find/develop alternative markets for their use. The following themes were developed by the CVC-based environmental compliance manager and trainee, assisted by the CVC-Sikasso based irrigation specialist: (i) the types of waste produced by traders, 12 producers, and de-hulling units, (ii) specific types of waste-producing activities, and (iii) good waste management practices.

Training of agro-enterprise staff (traders, cooperatives, and processors) in the management of storehouse pests In Koutiala (Sikasso) and Niono (Ségou) and Sévaré (Mopti), the project carried out training sessions for traders, cooperatives, and processing units on the management of storehouse pests. A total of 83 participants (50 participants, including 18 women, in Sikasso and Ségou; 33 participants, including 3 women in Mopti). The objective of training was to strengthen capacity of agri-business staff on cereal storage/conservation best practices to limit post-harvest losses and control pests in cereal storehouses. The followings topics were discussed during the training sessions: (i) Types of post-harvest losses, (ii) Causes of post-harvest losses, (iii) Types of cereal storage pests, (iv) Good cereal storage practices, (v) Good pests control practices (preventative and curative methods), (vi) Registered pesticides used in store management. MONITORING & EVALUATION Guiding training staff of Faranfasi-So company on M&E data recording In the Ségou Region, CVC led a workshop for the Faranfasi-So (local training service provider in the Office de Niger) trainers, on the completing participation data collection sheets during training sessions. Faranfasi-So trainers were also introduced to the use of training posters created by CVC. A total of 5 people from Faranfasi-SO benefited from the capacity building session (four trainers including two women and one male supervisor). This activity falls within the framework of a collaboration agreement signed between Faranfasi-So and CVC project for the implementation of training activities in the Alatona area. Consultation for the 2018 annual survey CVC continued the selection process for the recruitment of a consultant for the 2018 annual survey. Of the three finalists, the firm TOGOUNA CONSULT from Mopti was selected. After the first contact meeting with the consultant, CVC held a planning meeting during which the following topics were discussed: • Review and clarification of the TOR of the survey; • Presentation of CVC and expectations of the survey; • Presentation of the consultant's methodology; • Detailed discussions for a complete understanding of the survey; and • Providing the consultant with the updated list of producers and other supporting documents for the survey.

A third meeting was held on May 10th, during which the consultant presented the detailed methodology and survey instruments that were validated, taking into account the CVC observations. The project expects to have a final survey report from the consultant by June 30th. COMMUNICATION During this reporting period, the communication department was able to implement the media planning schedule for project produced videos. Seven videos were broadcast on the national TV channel ORTM: • The TV magazine on the project (3 times)

• The video on the distribution ceremony of 500 GMP pumps to Tombouctou and Mopti regions producers (2 times) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices - Low Land Rice (1 time) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices – VIP Rice (1 time) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices – Millet Production (1 time) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices – Sorghum Production (1 time) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices – Commercialization (1 time) • Cartoon on Good Agricultural Practices – Safe Management of Pesticides (1 time) COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION Participation of CVC in the official launch of the VOICE "Ni Yoro Gini' project activities In Natien (Sikasso), CVC participated in the official launch of the VOICE “Ni Yoro Gnini” project, hosted by the NGO Association SORO, under chairmanship of the prefect of Sikasso. This five-year project (2016-2021), funded by Oxfam-Mali and executed by the NGO Association SORO and One World, aims to promote vulnerable groups (women/rural youth and people with disabilities) as agents of change at the local, national, and regional levels by contributing to changes in policies, in their implementation and by improving access to production inputs for rural producers. It targets three communes in Mali: Natien and Kaboila in Sikasso region and Sio in the Mopti region. CVC Sikasso, represented by the regional coordinator and the Agri-Business Coach of the commune of Natien, undertook actions to facilitate networking between members of CVC partner POs of the two communes in the VOICE 'ni Yoro Gnini ' intervention area. CVC views the Ni Yoro Gnini project as a new, potential partner for CVC supported POs, that could provide focused support post-CVC. The 22nd meeting of the projects of the platform The 22nd meeting of USAID-funded projects in the Mopti Region took place at the Sévaré Academy under the lead of the USAID /EESA (Education Emergency Support Activity) project. The following projects were represented: CVC, Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Keneya Jemu Kan (KJK), Livestock for Growth (L4G), Harande, World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF), Unicef / Wash, International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), International Executive Corps Service (IESC), Education Emergency Support Agency (EESA), Regional Development Agency (ADR), Care-Nutrition / Hygiene, the COREM Resilience Program.

The meeting covered the following topics: i) review of last meeting’s notes; ii) review of recommendations, iii) review of the synergy framework, iv) discussion of the importance of e-mail communication, v) discussion and analysis of collaboration needs, vi) security situation and vii) future activities.

The exchanges also focused on the relationship between the platform and COREM. Proposals were made by the participants to strengthen relations with COREM, including: • Clarify the roles and responsibilities of COREM with the platform (focal point), • COREM takes care of the technical organization of meetings (Invitation, reporting, reports sending to participants), • Share draft reports to participated in the meeting for observation and comments, • Update database of activities in synergy by COREM, in order to allow visibility and follow-up of synergy actions,

• Address directly the CO for important decision-making matters, (for example the request of activity reports by the COREM)

The next meeting is scheduled for June 19th and will be organized by ICRAF, in the CRS office.

Participation in the training of public and private sector service providers organized by PASSIP- REAGIR project The training took place in the Inland Delta Zone of Youwarou organized by the PASSIP-REAGIR project. It was organized within the framework of activities of the Support Program for the Local Irrigated Sub-Sector “PASSIP” as part of its capacity building activities, and included topics related to threshing, milling, parboiling, and management of grain stores, all subjects of their “Agro-processing” curriculum. Two CVC coaches (men) participated in the training as part of the collaboration between CVC and GIZ project.