Soil and Moisture Management in Mali: A Case Study Analysis for West Africa
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In order for farmers to accept improved soil and water management practices, new technologies
must be appropriate to the specific site conditions found in the farm setting and be consistent
with farmers' objectives and available resources. A whole-farm modeling analysis of this problem
is described. Preliminary estimates of the benefits of increased soil moisture conservation for
representative low-resource farmers in Mali are presented. If farmers could improve rainfall infiltration
from currently low rates of about 40% up to 60%, and use small amounts of chemical
fertilizers, disposable income could increase two to four times depending on rainfall. Income could
be increased another 50% if the infiltration rate was raised to 80%. Food grain production could
increase 60 to 90% with improved moisture conservation and fertilizer use.