Impacts of improved sorghum varieties on farm families in Mali: A Multivalued Treatment Effects approach

Uptake of improved sorghum seed in Mali remains relatively limited, despite the economic importance of the crop. We first explore the adoption by Malian farm families of improved sorghum seed, differentiating between improved varieties and recently released sorghum hybrids, which are based largely on local Guinea materials developed through participatory, on-farm testing. We then examine impacts on farm families with a multivalued treatment effects model. Analysis is based on primary data collected from 628 farm families in the Sudanian Savanna. Reflecting the social organization of production in this region, we test the role of plot manager characteristics (including relationship to household head) as determinants of use. Given that farm family enterprises both consume and sell their sorghum harvests, we consider effects on consumption outcomes as well as yield. We find that plot manager characteristics, in addition to household wealth and labor supply, influence the use of improved varieties. The impact of hybrid use on yields is large and significant, positively affecting household dietary diversity and contributing to a greater share of the harvest sold. However, use of hybrids, as well as improved varieties, is associated with a shift toward 2 consumption of other cereals. Findings support on-farm experimental evidence concerning yield advantages, and suggest that encouraging the use of well-adapted sorghum hybrids may contribute to crop commercialization by smallholders

FARMER FEEDBACK REPORT: INPUT USE (SEEDS, FERTILIZERS, AND HERBICIDES) ON SORGHUM AND MAIZE BY FAMILY FARM ENTERPRISES IN THE SUDANIAN SAVANNA OF MALI

To develop sound agricultural policies, policymakers need accurate empirical evidence on the conditions prevailing in the field that will help document the situation and the impact of ongoing programs through the use of data. Farmers who are testing new technologies and are the primary beneficiaries of agricultural subsidies are fundamental sources information for policymakers. Most farm surveys require hours of preparation and implementation but their findings are not always communicated to respondents for validation purposes. We consider this a loss—since the experts who are the most qualified to validate these findings are the farmers themselves. Thus, farmers are not always given the opportunity to ask questions to researchers and assist in the interpretation of survey findings

Intrahousehold Productivity Differentials and Land Quality in the Sudanian Savanna of Mali

Given the important role that women play in African agriculture, the persistent “gender gap” in crop productivity entails considerable social and economic costs. Past research conducted in West Africa has attributed the gap to inefficient allocation of resources among family members within households. In many farming systems of West Africa, including dryland cereals production in the Sudanian Savanna of Mali, crops are produced by extended family farms on multiple plots managed by different members. In Mali, encouraging productivity growth through promoting the use of chemical fertilizer is a national policy priority. In a recent analysis, we tested the “gender gap” by comparing rates of fertilizer use and crop yields. In contrast to previous studies, we are able to control for land quality by introducing soil nutrient measurements (Smale et al. 2017)

LA SUBVENTION DES ENGRAIS AU MALI : ORIGINES, CONTEXTE ET EVOLUTION

Le présent travail de recherche a pour but de retracer les principaux repères historiques en matière de subvention agricoles, dont les engrais, au Mali. Il fait l’état des lieux des grandes dates historiques qui ont influencé l’usage des subventions d’engrais, pour capitaliser les enseignements et les leçons tirées des expériences passées permettant d’améliorer les pratiques actuelles. L’approche méthodologique se base sur une revue de la littérature, une exploitation de données secondaires disponibles et sur des entretiens avec des personnes clés qui ont travaillé sur l’utilisation et la distribution des engrais au Mali. L’analyse des résultats montre que la subvention des engrais a toujours été une pratique intégrante des stratégies de développement agricole des gouvernements successifs de la République du Mali de 1960 à 2019. Quel que soit le système économique (socialiste ou libéral) adopté et les vicissitudes de l’histoire, la pratique de la subvention des engrais n’a jamais disparu des stratégies de financement de l’agriculture au Mali. D’une manière générale, la subvention des engrais s’est d’ailleurs perpétuée au fil du temps, bradant parfois, les contraintes imposées par les bailleurs de fonds. Par ailleurs, elle trouve récemment sa justification dans la nécessité, d’une part, d’encourager l’usage des engrais pour augmenter la production et la productivité agricole en vue d’assurer la sécurité alimentaire et de protéger les agriculteurs contre la volatilité des prix des engrais, des effets néfastes des sécheresses sur les récoltes et les revenus, d’autre part. Ainsi, durant les premières années de l’indépendance, à la faveur du système économique socialiste en vigueur, de fortes subventions d’engrais, peu contrôlées, étaient allouées à des opérations de développement rural (ODR). La mauvaise gestion de celles-ci a conduit à un endettement insoutenable pour l’État sans un impact réel sur les conditions de vie des populations. C’est pourquoi, dans le cadre des politiques d’ajustements structurels, les subventions d’engrais ont été découragées, voire supprimées pour la plupart des filières agricoles. Mais, à la suite à la crise alimentaire et nutritionnelle mondiale de 2007, elles ont été réhabilitées, puis remises en selle dans le but d’accroitre la production et la productivité agricole. Actuellement, le programme de subvention d’engrais mis en œuvre à travers les systèmes de distribution de cautions techniques en papier et électronique est de plus en plus contrôlé pour assurer la traçabilité et la transparence. Toutefois, le coût de ce programme de subvention des engrais est de plus en plus élevé et l’impact sur les populations bénéficiaires reste mitigé. D’où la nécessité de réconcilier les subventions d’engrais avec les besoins d’investissements durables dans le secteur de l’agriculture, notamment via des investissements publics (ex., recherche et developpement, services de vulgarisation et infrastructures d’irrigation)

Fertilizer Subsidy in Mali: Origins, Context and Evolution

The present research aims to trace the main historical references for agricultural subsidies, including fertilizers, in Mali. It gives an overview of the major historical dates that have influenced the use of fertilizer subsidies, to capitalize learnings and lessons learned from past experiences to improve current practices. The methodological approach is based on a review of the literature, use of available secondary data and interviews with key individuals who have worked on fertilizer use and distribution in Mali. The analysis of the results shows that the fertilizer subsidy has always been an integral part of the agricultural development strategies of the successive governments of the Republic of Mali from 1960 to 2019. Regardless of the adopted economic system (socialist or liberal) and the vicissitudes of history, the practice of fertilizer subsidies has never disappeared from the financing strategies of agriculture in Mali. In general, fertilizer subsidies have been perpetuated over time, sometimes reducing the constraints imposed by donors. Moreover, they have recently been justified by the need, on the one hand, to encourage the use of fertilizers to increase agricultural production and productivity in order to ensure food security and to protect farmers against the volatility of fertilizer prices, the adverse effects of droughts on crops and incomes, on the other hand. Thus, in the early years of independence, under the prevailing socialist economic system, large, uncontrolled fertilizer subsidies were allocated to rural development operations (ODRs). Their mismanagement has led to unsustainable debt for the state without a real impact on the living conditions of the people. For this reason, as part of structural adjustment policies, fertilizer subsidies have been discouraged or even eliminated for most agricultural sectors. But in the wake of the global food and nutrition crisis of 2007, they were rehabilitated and then put back on track to increase agricultural production and productivity. Currently, the fertilizer subsidy program implemented through paper and electronic technical delivery systems is becoming increasingly controlled to ensure traceability and transparency. However, the cost of this fertilizer subsidy program is increasing and the impact on beneficiary populations remains mixed. Hence the need to reconcile fertilizer subsidies with sustainable investment needs in agriculture, including through public investment (e.g., research and development, extension services and irrigation infrastructure)

Intrahousehold Productivity Differentials and Land Quality in the Sudanian Savanna of Mali

KEY FINDINGS -We find little evidence that intrahousehold allocation of fertilizer is inefficient when we are able to control for land quality. -Gender and generation gaps in productivity persist but lessen as we control for land quality. -Women’s fields may be less fertile, but productivity differentials may also reflect distinctive objectives and modes of production

Intrahousehold Productivity Differentials and Land Quality in the Sudanian Savanna of Mali

1. We find little evidence that intra-household allocation of fertilizer is inefficient when we are able to control for land quality. 2. Gender and generation gaps in productivity persist but lessen as we control for land quality. 3. Women’s fields may be less fertile, but productivity differentials may also reflect distinctive objectives and modes of production