Mali Global FS Strategy - Production The West Africa cluster has the attention of many different development actors, including the Dutch Government, the World Bank, UN agencies, EU, USAID, IFAD, MCF, AFDB and many others. The thematic areas are various as needs are multitude and interests of local communities and their representatives local civil society actors large. Sustainable economic growth, good governance, justice and security, as well as development of human capital are key areas for donors and the people they aim to reach.  

The political context is sensitive. Since 2012, local conflicts intensified between terrorist groups, national governments and international forces. The role of France is critical in the region due to its historical tie with French speaking countries, its attempt to secure its interests in the Sahel through a mix of military interventions, diplomacy and development. Powers from operation Barkhane, Minusma, Takuba, G5 and G7, all envisage enhancing the stability in the region. Collaboration with local forces, either jihadist groups, other terrorist groups, and the national governments are leading to non transparent dynamics with an often devastating impact on local communities. 

Moreover, the West Africa cluster ranks lowest on the HDI (Niger 189/189; Mali 184; Burkina Faso 182; Senegal 168); has the highest fertility rates (Niger 6.8, Mali 5.8, Burkina Faso 5.1, Senegal 4.6), and; is vulnerable to climate change as the negative environmental impact influences food and water availability, increases the risk of resource scarcity and can lead to forced migration - exacerbating livelihood insecurity and political instability. 

The current covid pandemic is aggravating the humanitarian situation where conflict hampers the vulnerable population to protect themselves. Communities in search for food, water, school or work, and esp women and girls are at risk. Also, the fragile health system could be swiftly overwhelmed .  

It is within this context that Cordaid will formulate its multi annual strategy for West Africa: flexibility, adaptiveness, to the local context in solidarity are important. 

In terms of first ideas and general guidance, a mix of variables will frame the future work of Cordaid in West Africa, to name just a few: 

The strategy needs to build on existing and a strong programming track record from the region: economic development, youth employment value chain development, governance, SRHR and access to security & justice; 

Joint decision making with local partner organisations on the future strategy ; defining clear localisation aims and enhancing more balanced power relations; 

Leveraging innovations on digitalisation, financial inclusion climate change adaptation; working with religious leaders and youth in SRHR;  

Defining Cordaid niche and positioning in system development: Result Based Financing (RBF) in health, education, security & justice; 

Inclusion of  emerging subjects from the COMPASS 2022-2030 that are pertinent to Cordaid work and ways of working in/on fragility; 

Financially sustainable and growing : a structure of cluster and country offices that work side by side with national civil society organisations, private sector and local government; 

Plan for collaboration in qualitative and effective partnerships and alliances; Goal: Sustainably intensify production leading to improved nutrition, incomes, and resilience of smallholder households
Objective 1: Intensify production and consumption of nutritious foods through farmer-led extension services
Objective 2: Increase the adoption of climate-smart, labor-saving agricultural technologies and practices
Objective 3: Improved farmer decision-making through data-driven processes and digital field-based solutions Main Actors. As further explained in Section 3, the RTI consortium has established, trusted
relationships with the main actors and stakeholders involved in the Activity for successful
implementation from Day 1. We are deeply connected to the POs in Sikasso through our
consortium member AOPP, which represents over 200 local POs and 1.7 million farmers,
including 327,399 farmers in Sikasso. In addition, ICCO, VSF, and the International Fertilizer
Development Center (IFDC) work with grassroots- and meso-level POs. Through these
relationships, we will identify which organizations are ready to take on SIF subawards and
participate in APA-Sikasso activities. We bring connections to the private sector, including
agro-dealers and telecommunications firms such as Agrichem Company, Toguna SA, and
Viamo, which have worked with ICCO, IFDC, and VSF to introduce CSA technologies and
practices to farmers. Our consortium also engages with the Ministry of Agriculture and its
Demonstrated Experience
Expanding Producer Organizations
With support from the Naatal Mbay
program, the Diankancounda Maize
Cooperative in southern Senegal
grew from 118 members producing
rainfed maize in two communes in
2014 (equivalent to a typical PO in
Sikasso) to 1,627 members in nine
communes in 2018, diversifying from
maize into upland rice, engaging
more women.
Final Technical Application RTI International
RFA No. 72068819RFA00005 Agricultural Production, Sikasso Sub-Zone
This application contains data that are not to be disclosed outside of the U.S. Government. 6
National Directorate of Agriculture, the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries, other regional
GOM stakeholders, and research institutes on producer trainings, technology
demonstrations, policy issues, and institutional support for extension. In addition, Institut
Polytechnique Rural de Formation et de Recherche Appliquée (IPR/IFRA) facilitates our
linkages to research institutes and institutions of higher education.