Economic Growth: Increase productivity and incomes in selected sub sectors
The economic growth strategy for USAID/Mali focuses on reducing poverty and increasing incomes thorough an integrated set of interventions. The strategy is based on increasing agricultural productivity by incorporating improved agricultural technologies, adding value to agricultural goods, and developing markets – local, regional, and international. All activities are designed to help strengthen environmental stewardship. While each of these programs will stand alone, natural links will be fostered and appropriate intersections developed, such as technical assistance in the marketing of shea intermediate and value added products to external markets; and trade and market development for onions from the Dogon country linking back to our contract with ABT associates.
The current programming (beginning September 2007) includes one primary contract, two secondary cooperative agreements, and five additional smaller grants. All of these mechanisms are designed to work in collaboration with one another, with other contracts and grants at USAID/Mali and to leverage and enhance other donor, private sector, non profit work leading to economic growth and poverty reduction for Mali.
The portfolio works to support, reinforce and develop the private sector. The program supports the objectives of the President’s Initiative to End Hunger in Africa (IEHA) and the Global Climate Change Initiative.
What’s New in this Strategy?
Projects:
Abt Associates – Integrated Initiatives for Economic Growth in Mali. This is our largest program in the portfolio and the activities under this Abt Associates contract are designed to improve and extensify agriculture in key geographic areas in Mali and to develop and strengthen markets and finance necessary for this expansion. The ultimate result will be to increase producers’ incomes in order to foster economic growth and substantially reduce poverty. Mangos, rice, potatoes, and horticultural products (specifically tomatoes and onions) are the key products, shea, cumin, anis, and shallots are secondary products, however we remain open to new and different opportunities and will continue to look add value where possible. Geographically, the program will have activities in the regions of Timbuktu, Gao, Kidal, Ségou, Sikasso, Mopti and in the region of Koulikoro.
GSTA: The Global Sustainable Tourism Alliance, a program managed by the Academy for Educational Development, will target Dogon Country in the Mopti region, working with communities to sustainably manage the environment and help to keep tourist dollars in the communities.
More on GSTA in Mali
Trickle-Up: Small enterprise development in the regions of Mopti, Timbuktu, Gao, and exploring option for work in Kidal.
CRSPs: Three Collaborative Research Support Programs (CRSP) for fisheries/aquaculture, millet/sorghum, and livestock will work directly with the various research institutions or stations in Mali. The primary partner is the Institute of Rural Economy under the Ministry of Agriculture.
Seed Sector Development: Two programs, one regional and one national will help to develop the seed sector in Mali, a long identified barrier to increased productivity. The West African Seed Alliance (from the USAID/WA mission) and the Foundation Seed Unit (located in Bamako) jointly will increase access, quality and sustainable trade in seed.
Shea Parklands and nut transformation: An integrated shea parklands management and shea product development program in conjunction with Peace Corps will support volunteers in community led management of the shea parklands and nut transformation leading to better revenues for women selling shea butter.
Improving the Business Climate: We are working in partnership with the Foreign Investment Advisory Service (FIAS) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) to improve policies fostering private sector development and to improve the “Doing Business” indicators for Mali.
Support to ministries – a number of small programs through our various partner ministries will work with the Integrated Framework group (for fostering trade in Mali through donor and program coordination) for example, the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program (CAADP) for another.
More articles on Economic Growth
Last updated: Tuesday, April 1, 2008