Mali, Development of Agriculture through Maize and Sorghum Hybrids (DASH II)

Country: Mali
Project details
Services:
Capacity building
Climate-smart agriculture
Enterprise development
Value chain development
Crops:
Cereals
Households reached:
800

Development of Agriculture through Maize and Sorghum Hybrids (DASH II), 2014-2017

Donors:

Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa

Goal

To enable Malian smallholder farmers to move towards a more market-oriented agriculture by increasing the productivity of maize and sorghum through the dissemination of promising hybrids. Advantages of hybrids vis-à-vis improved open-pollinated varieties include 1) better vegetative growth and seedling vigor; 2) better tolerance to foliar diseases; 3) higher grain yield, and 4) higher stover yield (animal feed). In Mali, there was a gain in grain yield of about 60% compared to improved open-pollinated varieties.

What we do

This project is a continuation of the first phase of the DASH Project implemented between 2011-2014. DASH II is conducting hybrid seed maize and sorghum demonstration plots, hybrid seed production at farm level and capacity building of producers and technicians. The project is implemented in the Koulikoro and Sikasso regions with the goal of popularizing maize and sorghum hybrids through on-farm demonstration and field days. The project also focuses on strengthening the technical and organizational capacities of extension agents, farmers and farmers’ organizations. Finally, the project facilitates information exchange between key maize and sorghum value chain actors (producers, processors, traders, manufacturers, and consumers).

Accomplishments

Since the start of the first phase in 2011/12, 156 tons of hybrid seed and 53 tons of open-pollinated varieties (OPV) seed have been produced by farmers. Direct seed sales through local seed companies has generated around 178,000 euro. Throughout the implementation of DASH II, about 1,000 on-farm demonstrations were organized to promote hybrids and improved OPVs benefitting over 20,000 smallholder farmers. Revenues generated through the adoption of hybrids is likely to be in the order of several millions of euro.