ReliefWeb

Food shortage is one of the main problems people in Mali have to face these days. ICCO has partner organizations that support local people in growing and harvesting their own food.

Due to drought and the constant threat of violence, people in the North and center of the country often have no more than one meal a day. Stock activities are hard to organize under the current circumstances. It’s difficult to provide the inhabitants of Timbuktu enough food. ICCO helps local people to grow and harvest their own food. This way families can support themselves and don’t become dependent on year round emergency aid.

Farmers get rice seeds
ICCO helps the farmers in developing the rice agricultural system in the Timbuktu area. Almost 5.000 families in 8 municipals benefit from the work of ICCO’s partner organization in Timbuktu. A lot of these families have been internally displaced.

These local farmers receive fertilizer and rice seeds. Farmer cooperation’s get fuel and information so they can build up capacity. In February the harvest will begin.

Women working in garden
In villages around Timbuktu women’s organizations, that represent 1,600 women, manage a garden that produces laities, tomatoes. This means healthy food for their children. ICCO’s partner provides them with seeds, small materials to grow, like a watering can and a hoe. Part of the crops is sold, so they can make some extra money to support their family income.

In Ségou area, ICCO supports storage activities with the communities. A women's organization manages the millet, rice, and maize storage. These women get education about organizational- and market development. This activity has helped the farmers to be able to feed their families the whole year ‘round.