Samba Coulibaly is a problem-solver in southern Mali. Farmers in the Koutiala region, like so many others, are being hurt by fast rising prices for fertilizer and other inputs. Agricultural price shocks that began with COVID-19 are now being fueled by the war in Ukraine. Not only is fertilizer becoming more expensive, but the chemical fertilizer most commonly used in Samba’s community can have negative environmental and nutritional impacts.
Organic fertilizers, on the other hand, are sustainable, reduce Mali's dependence on imported chemical alternatives, strengthen the private sector, and boost local economies. They are environmentally friendly and mitigate climate change by improving soil structure and increasing water retention. After Feed the Future training, Samba has a sustainable solution to his fertilizer problem, saves money by using organic alternatives, and is making sure others profit as well.
A member of Koutiala’s Smallholder Farmer’s Union, Samba, a 48-year-old father of seven, was nominated by his peers in 2021 train for the next 20 months as their Feed the Future Mali Sene Yiriwa (Prosperous Agriculture) extension agent. While some in Samba’s community used composting for fertilizer, most used the “pit composting” method, which is more labor-intensive, especially for women who typically dig the wells. Through Feed the Future training, Samba learned that “pile” composting with leaves, manure, ashes, and other organic waste can be easier, more productive, and more cost effective. Samba attests, "I’ve been working as a smallholder farmer for several years, but this is the first time that I have been taught how to make compost in piles.”
Proof of Compost
Samba put composting in piles to the test on his 750-square-meter plot, "Before, I used two bags of chemical fertilizer that cost $40 each. With this training, I was able to use organic fertilizer from composting without spending anything at all. I have good produce, my soil is restored, and I make a profit of $80.” Armed with pile composting and other farming best practices, and with new connections to agricultural service providers, Samba launched into action. After each Feed the Future training, he visits all of the local Union cooperatives. Samba has already trained over 700 producers in 19 cooperatives on crop production, improved composting, and poultry farming.
According to fellow union members, Samba’s work gets a 5-star review. "Samba Coulibaly is a leader and a good extension agent,” says Djenabou Sanogo, President of the Koungo Soulou cooperative. “We learned a lot thanks to him, like making compost in piles. This technique of making fertilizer is very beneficial and advantageous for us women.”
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Protecting Farm Investments
Samba also promoted the benefits of agricultural insurance, particularly as climate change increases the likelihood of extreme weather events such as drought and flood. "This was the first time we had heard about agricultural insurance,” Djenabou says. “However, with the explanations from [Samba], we understood its importance. Today, within our cooperative, 35 hectares of various crops have been insured. If the harvest is good, that’s great, but if we encounter difficulties related to flooding or drought, we will have financial compensation. It is a good solution to mitigate the effects of climate change.”
Locally Led Solutions to Global Challenges
Samba is one of 80 extension agents – each nominated by a farmer’s cooperative in southern Mali – working with Sene Yiriwa. In addition to trainings, Samba is also taking advantage of new digital tools for recording, storing, and using agricultural data. These tools and techniques, provided to Feed the Future Mali Sene Yiriwa extension agents, enable farmers to make informed decisions that tap local knowledge to improve food security, nutrition, and resilience. For Samba, knowledge sharing is its own reward. "Sharing what I've learned is a pleasure,” he says. "This strengthens the members of our cooperatives and increases our productivity.”
Given the success of improved composting for organic fertilizers, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is rapidly scaling up these activities in Mali and extending them to some of the worst hit farmers, those contending not just with rising prices caused by the war in Ukraine, but with conflict and violence from extremist organizations as well. Feed the Future Mali Sene Yiriwa is implemented in the southern zone by RTI International.
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