Project profile — Agricultural Training for Food Security in Mali (FASAM)

• Mali (100.00%)

• Agricultural development:
Agricultural development (31120) (15.00%)
Agricultural education/training (31181) (80.00%)
Agricultural research (31182) (5.00%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (significant objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (not targeted)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) (not targeted)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• Nutrition (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)

The project aims to improve the supply of agricultural training, develop a skilled workforce and promote job creation for young people. Agriculture is at the heart of the Malian economy. However, food insecurity remains a major concern. This food insecurity is caused by both external ans internal (structural origins) factors. The development of a skilled agricultural workforce can play an essential role in the prevention of food crises and achieving sustainable food security. Three Malian institutions (technical, vocational and academic levels), would be supported.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved capacities of stakeholders (producers, professionals, technicians) who have received agricultural training, taking into account in particular gender equality (GE), sustainable development and food security issues; (2) increased access for students to qualified university, technical and vocational teachers; and (3) increased presence of better managed and better governed agricultural training institutions that take into account GE and sustainable development issues.

Results achieved as of the end of the project (June 2021) include: (1) improved quality and relevance of university and vocational agricultural training through the updating of 11 university level technical programs, one agricultural economics licensing program and a certified technician’s diploma from agricultural learning centres, and the creation of a new technician’s certification program in agricultural business, and two new programs in horticulture and aviculture offered in three vocational training centres; (2) 32 scholarship recipients, including 19 men and 13 women, have completed a university program and graduated from Laval University; (3) the establishment of a research and development fund, which has made it possible for eight research teams to develop their experience and skills in carrying out research projects and contributed to four new projects being supported by national funds.

• Proactive disclosure