How Women Are Tapping into Sustainable Land Management for Livelihoods and Landscape Restoration in Mali

Mar 12, 2023 | M. Bourne
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Djelika Malle is a farmer in the village of Dintiola who relies heavily on the land and its resources for her livelihood. From a distance, you can see the trees she has planted, which are safe from animals and people who would otherwise reduce her efforts in maintaining her trees. These trees include the jujube tree (Ziziphus mauritiana), the nere tree (Parkia biglobosa), the tamarind tree, the African mahogany tree (Khaya senegalensis), the pourghere tree (Jatropha curcas), and the karité or shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa). 

“I used to think there was no connection between trees and agricultural production. I recall the land being extremely dry and all the rainwater quickly drying up. My land was completely bare, with no grass growing on it, and my harvests were frequently very poor because I suffered numerous losses from the time of sowing.”

“Now that I understand the significance of trees in a field, I notice a distinct difference. For example, during the previous agricultural season, I noticed increased water retention. As a result, I had a bumper crop last year, resulting in a significant increase in income.”