Scaling up gender-sensitive livestock innovation packages boosts sustainable animal productivity and livelihoods in Mali

Livestock, particularly small ruminants (sheep and goats), plays a vital role in the livelihoods of 80% of Mali's rural population and contributes significantly to the country's economy. However, challenges such as low productivity, high mortality rates, and limited access to markets hinder the full potential of this sector.

Recognizing this, the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) is implementing a series of innovative interventions, proven livestock technologies and best practices to enhance animal health, improve nutrition and strengthen market linkages in target regions. This multi-disciplinary effort involves collaboration among researchers, development organizations and local communities, including women. Some of the key achievements include the following:

Empowering livestock champions through behaviour change communication (BCC)

One of the key innovations of SAPLING has been the development and implementation of a robust BCC strategy. This approach involves training a network of 'livestock champions’—comprised of veterinary services personnel, animal production specialists, community health workers and village sanitation committees—to disseminate best practices in livestock management. These champions receive comprehensive training on integrated livestock management, covering topics such as animal health, nutrition, breeding and biosecurity.

Through a cascade training approach, these champions share their knowledge with other farmers in their communities, particularly goat and sheep keepers. This leads to the widespread adoption of improved practices and the intensification of the production system. In total, 146 champions, including 26 women, have been trained.

Scaling the thermotolerant PPR vaccine for enhanced disease control

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious and devastating disease that poses a significant threat to small ruminant production in Mali. The availability of a new thermotolerant PPR vaccine, developed through a public-private partnership, represents a major breakthrough in disease control efforts. This vaccine, which can withstand high temperatures, overcomes the significant logistical challenges associated with cold chain maintenance in remote areas.

• Impact: To date, over 50,000 sheep and goats have been vaccinated with the thermotolerant PPR vaccine, benefiting approximately 3,500 households in Ségou, Koutiala and Sikasso regions.
• Scaling up: The African Development Bank has invested in the scaling up of this intervention, with the goal of vaccinating a million sheep and goats across 35,000 households in the coming years. This will significantly reduce the disease burden and improve animal health outcomes.

Strengthening community-based breeding programs

SAPLING is actively promoting community-based breeding programs (CBBPs) to improve the genetic quality of local livestock. These programs involve farmers in the selection and breeding of animals, leading to improved productivity and adaptation to local conditions.

Key components: CBBPs incorporate a range of technologies, including: 

• Certification of selected sires: Identifying and selecting high-performing animals for breeding;
• Mass oestrus synchronization: Improving breeding efficiency and maximizing conception rates;
• Fixed-time artificial insemination: Enhancing reproductive performance; and
• Ultrasound pregnancy diagnosis: Monitoring pregnancy and improving reproductive management.
• Data-driven decision-making: The project utilizes the ‘Dtreo’ platform to collect and analyse data, enabling farmers and researchers to make informed decisions and monitor the progress of breeding programs.

Enhancing feed availability and quality

Access to quality feed is crucial for animal health and productivity. Livestock production in low- and middle-income countries relies predominantly on fibrous feeds, which consist mainly of crop residues and low-quality pasture. These feed sources are inherently deficient in essential nutrients, including protein, minerals and vitamins.

Efficient feed processing and effective marketing strategies are paramount to ensuring a consistent supply of high-quality feed from locally available feed resources in the following ways:

• Empowering women through feed mechanization: SAPLING has facilitated the establishment of two community-based feed processing units in the Sikasso and Segou regions, empowering women's groups to produce and sell high-quality animal feed. These units are equipped with modern machinery, enabling efficient production of a variety of feed types. The project has supported these women's groups in developing business plans, accessing markets, and strengthening their capacity to manage and operate these businesses.
• Strengthening women's capacity in multi-nutrient feed block (MNFB) production: Recognizing the nutritional limitations of traditional feeds, SAPLING has supported women's cooperatives in producing MNFBs to enhance animal nutrition. While challenges such as bone meal scarcity have been encountered, the project is exploring innovative solutions, such as local bone meal production and ingredient diversification, to ensure the sustainable production of these critical supplements.

Scaling Brachiaria seed production

The SAPLING project has successfully scaled a business model for producing and distributing Brachiaria seed, a high-yielding and drought-tolerant forage grass. In collaboration with the Farakala Multi-stakeholder Platform (MSP), 62 producers, including nine women and five youth, cultivated Brachiaria seed on 82 hectares of land in 2023. This initiative generated significant income for farmers, with sales amounting to USD 77,889, demonstrating the economic viability of this approach.

Evaluating forage performance through multi-locational trials

To identify the most suitable forage options for different agroecological zones, the project conducted multi-locational trials across Mali. These trials evaluated the performance of various Brachiaria and Panicum grasses, along with local forages, under different climatic conditions. The results of these trials will inform farmers' decisions on forage selection and contribute to the development of more resilient and productive livestock systems.

Strengthening value chains

The project is working to strengthen linkages between producers, traders and consumers, improving market access and enhancing the profitability of the small ruminant value chain. This includes:

• Supporting the development of market information systems;
• Facilitating access to finance and credit; and
• Promoting the development of value-added products, such as processed meat and dairy products.

The SAPLING project has significantly improved the livelihoods of small ruminant producers in Mali. By effectively addressing key constraints such as disease, nutrition and access to markets, the project has led to increased productivity, improved animal health and enhanced food security. Through ongoing collaboration with local partners and the implementation of innovative solutions, SAPLING is set to continue its pivotal role in transforming the small ruminant sector in Mali and beyond.

See more outputs from the SAPLING research activities in Mali here...