Low-Cost Technologies for Improved Productivity of Dryland Farming in Mali

This study shows how low-cost options can increase agricultural productivity in the millet-producing areas of Mali. Seed priming increased millet yield by 40% in sites in the Mopti region (low rainfall). When combined with the application of 0.3 g of fertilizer per pocket, millet yield increased by 106%. In the regions further south, the best treatment was a combination of seed priming, an application of 2 g of fertilizer 15 to 20 days after sowing, and seed treatment with fungicides/insecticides. Improved fodder rations were tested and a combination of cowpea haulm and millet bran were found to give a daily weight gain of 210 g for rams, compared with 80 g in the traditional feeding system. A conceptual integrated farm was created using the improved technologies, which was shown to generate a surplus production of both grain and fodder.