Professional Documents
Culture Documents
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010
C. Other generalized recommendations for woodlots and plantations 26
1. Species adapted to the Alatona Zone: recommendations from EIA Annex Q 26
2. Species recommended based on ICRAF seedling survival results 27
3. Species recommended from the Maydell 1983 study 28
4. General recommendations from the 2007 DAI forestry and agroforestry analysis
of opportunities 29
C. Other recommendations that would fill the fuelwood gap between year 2 and year 8
while plantations mature 43
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010
4. The right to request and manage legally-recognized forests and pasture land
outside irrigated perimeters remains underused 47
5. Need to integrate agriculture, forestry and herding in a holistic land management
plan across irrigated and arid zones 48
a. Supporting sustainable agro-pastoral systems 48
b. Managing conflicts between herders and farmers 50
6. Pressure on outside forest resources makes success of inside reforestation activities
crucial 53
a. USAID Strategic Goal Number 4: protection of natural resources 57
7. A forest/natural resource management component is missing from Office du Niger
as a land management agency 57
a. Outside-the-perimeter pasture and forest management policy changes in Office du Niger
can start with the MCA example 58
8. Missed tax collection costs more than money 61
9. Should a marché for rural firewood be implemented? 61
APPENDICES 78
APPENDIX 1. MISSION ITINTERARY 79
APPENDIX 2. USFS SCOPE OF WORK 80
APPENDIX 3. PEOPLE CONTACTED 83
APPENDIX 4. DESCRIPTIONS OF VARIOUS EUCALYPTUS TRIALS FOR FIREWOOD SUPPLY
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010
IN IRRIGATED LANDS 85
APPENDIX 5 . EXTRACT FROM CONTRACT ALA-D08, WITH NATURAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES 89
APPENDIX 6. SYNTHESIS OF WATER USERS’ SOCIO-ECONOMIC STUDY FOR THE 33 VILLAGES 93
APPENDIX 7. COSTS AND CONTENT OF WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL TRAINING 95
APPENDIX 8. ICRAF EXAMPLES OF COSTS OF SERVICES 98
APPENDIX 9. EXAMPLE OF COSTS FOR IMPROVED STOVES, RURAL MARKETS, AND FOREST
MANAGEMENT PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION IN THE SAHEL (World Bank example) 100
APPENDIX 10. ICRAF 5th TRIMESTER REPORT 101
APPENDIX 11. SETTING UP A SCHÉMA DIRECTEUR D’APPROVISIONNEMENT FOR FIREWOOD
(Niger and Mali examples) 119
APPENDIX 12. LITERATURE CONSULTED 123
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010
LIST OF ACRONYMS
AIP Alatona Irrigation Project
CDM Camp Dresser & McKee
CIRAD Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le
Développement
CTFT Centre Technique Forestier des Tropiques
DAI Development Alternatives, Inc.
EIA Alatona Irrigation Project Environmental Impact Assessment (CDM 2009)
GTZ Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit
ICRAF World Agroforestry Centre
MCA Millennium Challenge Account
MCC Millennium Challenge Corporation
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
ON Office du Niger
PAP/PAPs Project Affected Person/People
SNC Surveyer, Nenniger and Chênevert
USAID United States Agency for International Development
USFS United States Forest Service
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 – page i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We offer our deepest thanks to many individuals who guided, supported and informed our mission.
Their time and insight were instrumental in the process, and we are extremely grateful.
Jean Harman (USAID), Mamdou Augustin Dembéle (USAID), Aminata Diarra (USAID), Karen
Ramsey (USAID), Assitan Coulibaly (USAID), Amadou Camara (MCC), Jonathan Richart (MCC),
Aziz Sandogo (MCA/Mali), Yafong Berthé (MCA/Mali), Antoine Kalinganire (ICRAF),
Ouodiouma Samake (ICRAF), John Weber (ICRAF), Yacouba Maiga (Yeredon), Yero Ibrahima
Diakité (SNC-Lavalin), Boubacar Diarra (SNC -Lavalin), Bokary Alpha Coulibaly (Office du
Niger/Kouroumary Zone), Alhassana Diallo (Institut Géographique du Mali) and representatives
from the following villages: Lamina Bugu, Siribala Cura, Siribala Koro, Heremakono Cura and
Welingara.
We would also like to acknowledge Calvin Joyner (Region 6), Jose Linares (Region 6), Tom DeMeo
(Region 6), Cindi West (PNW Research Station) and Becky Gravenmier (PNW Research Station) for
approving staff time and support to USFS International Programs toward work of such cultural and
ecological importance. This was a wonderful opportunity for mutual learning and exchange.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 – page ii
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The US Agency for International Development (USAID)/Mali has requested US Forest Service
(USFS) technical assistance pertaining to reforestation in the Alatona Zone of the Ségou Region of
Mali. There is interest in creating a three-year collaboration between USAID/Mali, USFS, the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Millennium Challenge Account-Mali (MCA-
Mali). USAID/Mali proposes this relationship focus on forest management efforts in the Ségou
Region, that it be financed by USAID/Mali, and that it be implemented by the USFS in
collaboration with local partners including Malian government agencies.
In response to this request, USFS and USAID/Mali conducted a joint mission in close collaboration
with MCC from September 12 - 18, 2010, to examine the status of forest degradation in the Alatona
Zone of the Ségou Region, and make recommendations concerning community needs and capacity
building opportunities for Malian government staff regarding planning and implementation of forest
regeneration activities. The mission focused on an irrigation project funded by MCC, but also
addressed forest management issues more broadly.
In 2006 MCC awarded a $461 million grant to the Government of Mali which allocated $234 million
to improve irrigation and agricultural production in the Alatona Zone of the Office du Niger.
MCA-Mali has jurisdiction over approximately 22,000 hectares in this zone. This project will irrigate
5,200 hectares of land, resulting in removal of vegetation from 3,500 hectares formerly used for
pasture and wood supply. Irrigation activities will affect 33 villages including approximately 7,500
“Project Affected People” (or PAPs) who will be resettled. An additional 2,500 people, or “new
arrivals” are expected to settle on these irrigated lands, increasing pressure on natural resources.
Reforestation is key to the success of the project. Vegetation is extremely important for people in
this region, since wood is their primary fuel source. Additionally, trees are used for construction,
food, fiber and medicinal products. They also provide shelter for livestock, shade for crops, and
improve soil fertility. To address these needs, MCC currently plans to plant one 1,550 hectare
plantation of fast-growing species (primarily Eucalyptus, and other exotics). Villagers within the
project area have expressed concern about travel distance to this common plantation and losses due
to livestock invasions and unauthorized exploitation of wood resources. They prefer smaller
woodlots located in closer proximity to individual resettlement areas that are easier to monitor.
Villagers outside of the project area shared this preference for woodlot configuration. Likewise, the
USFS recommends setting up village woodlots as resettlement sites are established, requiring
smaller, progressive investments. If settlement sites are already fixed, another possibility is to place
“new arrivals” into a different part of the project area, including the land currently allocated for the
1,550 hectare plantation, and use “new arrivals” lands for localized woodlots. Regardless of how the
1,550 hectares are allocated, it is important to conduct an inventory of what will be lost before
forested land is cleared.
The USFS also recommends modifying species selected for planting, particularly in terms of the
relative amount of Eucalyptus, which is currently 88 percent. Eucalyptus was selected for its fast
growth rate, but this has been shown to vary widely by site (from 7-20 m 3 on irrigated land).
Eucalyptus can also compromise soil fertility and is particularly susceptible to fire. Instead, MCA-
Mali should consider a mix of local and exotic species that are more ecologically sustainable and can
serve multiple needs including fuel, food, medicines, fodder, fiber, construction and wildlife habitat.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 1
These species have been identified in the project Environmental Impact Analysis (CDM 2009) and
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) species trials and include Acacias, Khaya senegalensis and Borassus
aethiopum. MCA-Mali should also promote planting by PAPs on their land parcels. Agroforestry
technologies developed by ICRAF can be disseminated. This serves a dual purpose of promoting
farmer or herder-led reforestation while creating opportunities for income generation. Agroforestry
also results in livelihood improvements for women by enhancing food production and providing a
supply of non-timber forest products for sale.
In addition to addressing a strategy for reforestation, MCC requested assistance with management of
wood that was cut during land clearing. This wood was intended to provide a fuel supply until
planted woodlots are ready for harvest. Although the cut wood supply was expected to last three
years, the volume is less than expected, and has been further reduced by unauthorized takings and
termite infestations. Errors in estimates may have been due to the fact that MCA-Mali did not
account for different vegetation density classes in the project area and used a single estimation of per
capita firewood consumption (0.62 m 3/person/year) rather than a range of possible values which
can vary by species and by type of use. When several volume estimations are considered, it is
evident that stacked wood will last for no more than two years. To maximize this supply, a fair
distribution sy stem should be established that involves monitoring of wood quality and volume by
firewood committees. A rural wood market could be developed consisting of permitted
woodcutters, known depots, and controlled amounts of cutting. MCA-Mali staff has agreed that it
will provide training in safe wood splitting and stacking, including how to cut huge root-ended
pieces down to household use size. A program could also be implemented to promote use of
improved cooking stoves that reduce wood consumption. Finally, alternative fuels like rice hulls and
crop waste should be maximized, as well.
Even if these techniques are applied, it is necessary to design a strategy to fill the gap between the
end of the cut wood supply and the availability of fuelwood from planted woodlots (estimates range
from three to eight years from planting). With 22,000 hectares under its jurisdiction, MCA-Mali has
an opportunity to engage in extensive management that goes beyond tree planting and nurseries in
the irrigated perimeter. More wood value can be added to Alatona lands by planting in niches like
field boundaries, corridors, communal lands, and fields. Dense low forests that exist between the
Fala de Molodo and the irrigated perimeter (1,000-2,000 hectares) are not currently considered in the
management scheme and should be included for sustainable fuelwood harvest. The close proximity
of this area to settlements means that it will be targeted by residents and livestock and may be
degraded if not carefully managed. Even if the 1,550 hectare plantation is created, it is very likely
that PAPs will continue to harvest wood from forests outside of MCA -Mali’s jurisdiction,
particularly if it is more convenient (i.e. closer to resettled villages). MCA-Mali should partner with
the Office du Niger and the Malian Forest Service (Direction Nationale des Eaux et Forêts) to
manage forests beyond the 22,000 hectares that are under MCA-Mali’s jurisdiction. It is important
that forests throughout the Alatona Zone be considered in a cohesive strategy.
Mali’s forestry laws and land tenure issues have an impact on how forests are managed in the Ségou
Region. The Alatona Irrigation Project aims to confer land titles to PAPs, but this is unusual,
particularly in rural areas. While land ownership offers security to farmers and provides an incentive
to invest in land stewardship, it marks a transition from traditional customary land rights that allow
flexibility, especially for migratory communities. Decisions about the process of legalizing land
transactions should be participatory to ensure that land ownership is affordable, particularly for
poorer farmers, and to accommodate the region’s history of customary law and collective decision-
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 2
making about land use at the local level. Ownership and jurisdiction over on-farm trees has also
been evolving. Prior to 2005, these trees were governed by the Malian Forest Service, which caused
many farmers to cut trees on their land to prevent conflicts with the “forestry police”. Governance
of on-farm trees has since been conferred to communes, but work is needed to rebuild trust and
promote tree-planting on farmland.
Environmental laws pertaining to land clearing could also be strengthened to promote reforestation
and efficient cut wood management in the Ségou Region. Although permits are required to clear
land (Decree No. 97-053, Article 2, 1997), large scale operations are often exempt from payments
and taxes, resulting in huge amounts of lost revenue to the Malian Government, on the scale of
5,000-7,500 FCFA per hectare. Following clearing, planting of a “compensation forest” is required,
but this is based on unit area and density rather than ecological value. It is assumed that planted
trees will be high-yielding fast growing species, and as little as one percent of the area lost is a typical
compensation rate. Net loss of forests, coupled with growing populations in the Office du Niger,
have resulted in widespread firewood deficiency. Some individuals in Niono reported travelling up
to 65 km to collect firewood Ŕ time that could be invested in farming, tending livestock, or other
income-generating activities. This problem is exacerbated by the lack of an effective sy stem for
distributing cut wood following a land clearing operation. Lessons can be learned from MCC’s
attempt to implement a scheme for collecting cut wood in its project area, but efficient and equitable
distribution remains a challenge. Improved valuation of forest land and stronger enforcement of tax
and compensation requirements could produce considerable funding for reforestation in the region
as a whole.
The Office du Niger would also benefit from creating a land management scheme that includes both
arid and irrigated lands. Development of irrigation for rice production has occurred at the expense
of forests and pasture lands. Pressure on the latter land types continues to grow as farmers extend
their fields into areas used by herds and expand their search for firewood. Conflicts also arise
between herders and farmers due to differences in their production cycles. Herds move toward
irrigated areas in the dry season, when farmers are harvesting. Likewise, livestock are pushed out of
irrigated lands in the planting season, but before rains have replenished pastures.
In the Alatona Irrigation Project zone, the majority of resettled people (82%) are Peuhl, who are
traditionally herders. Their livestock is a high priority and rice cultivation is a new enterprise for
most. During our visit to the Welingara village, some representatives expressed concern about how
to continue to care for their animals while labor was needed in the rice fields. They also struggled
with how to maintain their millet crops, which are farmed on dry land on a five month cycle, while
tending to irrigated rice fields on a three month cycle. The role of livestock and grazing in
livelihoods should be considered alongside agricultural production to address these needs.
Integrating range and forest management can help ensure that adequate pasture and fodder are
available, maximize grazing efficiency, and protect riparian areas and water supplies. Social services
like literacy training have also been requested by resettled villagers and could help improve
communication with MCA-Mali project implementers and mitigate conflict among land users.
The USFS could contribute to the abovementioned recommendations in several ways, including
technical assistance with an emphasis on capacity building among Malian Government staff. A
range of possible activities are described including technical assistance for forest and pasture
management; improving mapping capabilities at regional and local government levels; facilitating
relationships among governing entities, farmers and herders to promote integrated land management
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 3
across jurisdictions; strengthening application of forestry and land management laws; and involving
women in forest-related enterprises, among others. This range of options can inform a dialogue
involving USAID, MCC, MCAŔMali and USFS to identify those activities that are most likely to
succeed and with which USFS is best equipped to assist.
USFS welcomes feedback to this report, and remains interested in collaborating with appropriate US
and Malian government actors to contribute to improved resource management and sustainable
forestry practices in the Ségou Region, and more broadly in Mali.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 4
INTRODUCTION:
SCOPE OF TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
USAID/Mali has proposed a three-year collaboration between USAID, USFS, MCC, MCA-Mali,
and Malian governmental and natural resource agencies to address forest regeneration in the Alatona
Zone of the Ségou Region. In response to this proposed collaboration, a USFS team (Lauren
Chitty, Cecilia Polansky and Nikola Smith) participated in a scoping mission from September 12 -
18, 2010 to assess reforestation needs and identify possible areas of USFS support. The purpose of
the mission, as requested by USAID/Mali, was to:
Examine the status of forest degradation in the Alatona Zone, where MCC is implementing
an irrigation project.
o Determine the extent and reasons for the degradation, and what the underlying goals
of forest management technical assistance in this region should be. Address whether
planting of native species is desired.
o Assess needs related to cut wood management.
o Assess whether technical assistance is needed to establish community woodlots.
Mission activities were facilitated by USAID/Mali’s Accelerated Economic Growth Team (Jean
Harman, Team Leader, Mamadou Augustin Dembele, Mission Environment Officer and Aminata
Diarra, NRM Program Specialist) and MCC (Amadou Camara, Senior Development Specialist,
Bamako and Jonathan Richart, Office of Environment and Social Assessment, Washington, DC).
The mission was based in Bamako and included three days in the Ségou Region. Meetings were held
with:
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 5
- Representatives of four villages outside of the Alatona project area: Lamina bugu, Siribala
Cura, Siribala Koro, Heremakono Cura
- World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) staff, Bamako
At the MCC/MCA Alatona project site the team participated in a tour of the main irrigation canal
and rice perimeter and attended a meeting of:
The team’s findings and recommendations are based on the above meetings, documents provided by
USAID/Mali and MCC/MCA-Mali, as well as independent research. See Appendix 1 for the
Mission Itinerary, Appendix 2 for the Scope of Work and Appendix 3 for a list of people contacted
by the team.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 6
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States aid agency established by Congress
in 2004, awarded a $461 million compact to the Government of Mali in 2006 to increase agricultural
production and expand access to markets and trade. A legal entity, the Millennium Challenge
Account, was established by the Government of Mali to act on its behalf and oversee
implementation of the program. MCA-Mali is implementing activities directly and through
contracts or agreements with firms, individuals and government agencies.
The Government of Mali has allocated approximately half of the grant, or $234 million, to a five-
year program (September 2007-September 2012) in the Alatona Zone of the Office du Niger located
in the Ségou Region of the Inner Niger Delta. A primary objective of the project is to develop
irrigable land and infrastructure in the zone, which has resulted in land-leveling and clearance of
natural vegetation. As a result, USFS was requested to participate in an assessment mission to make
recommendations for reforestation and cut wood management, taking into account the socio-
economic conditions of the area.
1. Ecology
The Alatona Zone, specifically, and the Ségou Region, as a whole, have experienced significant
economic, governmental and natural resource interventions in the last 50 years. The following
background provides information on ecological conditions as a context for future management of
vegetation and forests in the region.
The following was taken from a consultant report provided to MCC by Erika Styger (2007).
Climate
The Alatona site lies at the boundary of the Northern Soudanian and the southern Sahelian climate zone.
Annual rainfall averages about 400 mm, but the variation from year to year is large: from 200 to 700 mm. In
most years, rain can be expected for about 30 to 40 days during the period covering June to October.
o
Minimum daily temperatures average about 15 C from November to February, and maximum temperatures
o
average about 40 C in May. Evapotranspiration rates average about 5 to 6 mm in the colder months, and 7
to 8 mm/day in the warmer months (CDM, 2006).
Soils
Soils in the vicinity of the Alatona site typically comprise sands, silts and clays of fluvial origin, though fossil
sand dunes occur in several areas--especially north of the Fala de Molodo where longitudinal formations are
widespread. In the area designated for irrigation development, sandy soils are often low dunes, silty soils are
ancient levees of the Fala, and clay soils occur on broad, flat floodplains and shallow depressions. The
heavier, clay soils are often alkaline, especially in lower horizons (Van Drien, 1989; cited by CDM, 2006).
Styger goes on to characterize vegetation in two ecozones: 1) scrubby savanna and 2) the Fala de
Molodo zone, a distributary of the Niger River, where agricultural, pastoral and forest productivity is
higher and wetlands are present. The Fala is a fossil watercourse that naturally percolates into the
desert or evaporates before it reaches the Inner Delta, about 30 km east of the Alatona Irrigation
Project perimeter. The Fala harbors some dense and tall stands of Acacia nilotica and of Mytragina.
Acacia nilotica is used for its firewood, forage and the fruits for tanning. Mytragina provides a good
construction wood, as well as firewood, and is used to treat malaria (Styger 2007).
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 7
2. History and Governance
Irrigation in the Ségou Region dates back to French colonialism, which focused on enhancing Mali’s
cotton production. The French created the Office du Niger in 1932 to oversee this venture, and
constructed the Markala Dam to divert water northward along the Fala de Molodo. After
independence in 1960 the Office du Niger remained as a governing agency over the land it managed
(see map), but shifted production toward rice and sugar cane. Currently, the Office du Niger
manages irrigation of about 70,000 hectares (CDM 2009).
Levels of government in the Ségou Region consist of seven cercles, which are further divided into
communes. The Alatona area is located in the cercle of Niono, and includes part of Diabaly and
Dogofry communes, which handle local governance (Styger 2007).
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 8
3. Socio-Economic Context
The Ségou Region is home to several ethnic groups including Bambara and Mandinga farmers, Soninke
and Marka traders, Bozo fishermen, and Peuhl herders and millet farmers. Although agriculture and
herding are primary modes of production in the Office du Niger, the two have not been addressed together
in a cohesive management plan for the region (CDM September 2007, Thibaud and Brondeau 2001).
Population growth, climate change, decreased rainfall and desertification have intensified land use
management challenges, compromised soil and pasture productivity and increased tension in farmer-herder
relations (Crane 2007). While these production systems compete for use of space, they are also increasingly
interdependent. Development policies and periods of drought have pushed herders into agriculture and
farmers into animal husbandry (Crane 2007). However, cultural differences and land use preferences persist
between those who are traditionally herders and those who are traditionally farmers.
Herding has different cultural and economic significance for ethnic groups in the region. For farmers
(such as the Bambara and Malinké), agriculture is the primary source of income. Cash profits are invested
in livestock, which are used to diversify income from milk sales or to till the soil. For pastoralists (such as
the Peuhl), herd size and milk production take priority, and agriculture, particularly millet production, is
used primarily to supplement the food supply (Crane 2007, Brondeau 2003, Welingara village visit 15
September 2010).
The Alatona Zone is far north in the Office du Niger, and is primarily populated by Peuhl people. In the
rainy season (June-October), cattle and small ruminant herds are taken far from the village for grazing, and
millet fields are planted near the village on superior soils. Prior to the MCA-Mali irrigation project, herding
was prioritized in the dry season when water was scarce, with the exception of small gardens near
persistent water bodies or ponds. People living in the project zone have not been highly involved in
markets Ŕ a census conducted prior to the project found that only 4% are engaged in vending or trading
(CDM 2008).
Some general statistics about the Alatona Zone population are given below:
Because the majority of Peuhl people have limited experience with irrigated agriculture and are not
traditionally literate, a rice-based production scheme intended for market sale involves an adjustment to a
very different way of life. A strategy is needed to support villages through this transition, as well as to
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 9
improve land management practices that reduce farmer-herder conflict both within and outside of the
project area.
Since the establishment of the Office du Niger by the French, irrigation in the Alatona Zone has not
matched that of areas further south, primarily due to limitations on finances and technical capacity (CDM
2009). As a result, the MCC compact has focused on expanding the irrigation network in this area, as well
as infrastructure and technical assistance to increase production and access to markets. The exact number
of hectares that are under MCA jurisdiction is most likely 22,000 hectares according to the Senior
Development Specialist in Bamako (personal communication with A. Camara) and contract ALA -D08 for
Implementation Services and Support to the Community Impacted by the Alatona Irrigation Project (Feb
2010). Other sources cite a different number of hectares (21,000), such as the 2008 Resettlement Action
Plan (CDM 2008).
Road Im provements: Paving of 81 km of the north-south Niono-Gomo Coura Road within the national
highway network, as well as additional access across the Fala de Molodo to the Alatona perimeter.
Irrigation Planning and Infrastructure: Expansion of the Office du Niger’s main conveyance sy stem and
development of an irrigation sy stem in Alatona. Although the project initially intended to irrigate 14,000
hectares of land in three phases, the scope was adjusted in 2009 due to higher than expected costs. It now
focuses on the first phase (Tranche 1), or 5,200 hectares (Richart 2010). Approximately 4,000 hectares will
be allocated to the roughly 7,500 people that are residents of the 33 villages in and around the project area
(Richart 2010). The remaining 1,200 hectares of Tranche 1 will be distributed to settlers from elsewhere
who meet a set of selection criteria. As of August, 2010, 3,500 hectares of land had been cleared and 1,000
hectares had been prepared for cultivation, about 50% of which was sown with rice (Richart 2010).
Resettlement: Project activities will impact the livelihoods and/or residences of 33 villages or nearly 7,500
people. Their fields, grazing grounds, and in some cases homes will be replaced by canals, roads, or new
residences. These villages will be resettled, with each village having its own contiguous group of farm
parcels along assigned canals. Villages that share use of a canal will also share housing and community
facilities, like wells, crop and input warehouses and latrines (provided by MCC). As of September 2010,
one village, Beldenadji, had been relocated. MCC plans to complete the resettlement process by April,
2011.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 10
Village Resettlements (in orange)
Land Allocation: One goal of the Alatona irrigation project is to promote land tenure in Mali and confer
land titles to farmers. About 4,000 hectares, or 77% of the project area, will be allocated to resettled
villagers. Land will be distributed in five hectare parcels to each concession (a residential, production and
consumption sharing unit). Each parcel consists of four hectares in a single plot irrigated during the rainy
season, and one hectare in the “green zone” to be irrigated during the rainy and dry seasons. Concessions
will be required to purchase three of these hectares over a 20 year period (at the time of the mission, the
amount of this payment had not been determined). Each concession will also receive a 500-square meter
vegetable garden within a contiguous larger garden titled to a village-wide or canal-wide women’s group
(CDM 2008 and Samake, personal communication, 14 September 2010).
The rest of the project area, or 1,000 hectares, will be sold to “new arrivals” or settlers from outside of the
zone. These farmers must meet selection criteria. Preference will be given to those who are currently
farming overcrowded parcels, have knowledge and experience in agriculture, have access to assets or credit,
and agree to own and operate the land for at least five years (CDM July 2007). MCC will support the
establishment of a new legal entity, the Revenue Authority, to collect and manage the revenues generated
through land payments (MCC, Millennium Challenge Compact with Mali, Executive Summary). At the
time of the mission, the selection process for new arrivals was still under development.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 11
Agricultural Services: The primary crops to be grown on the irrigated farm parcels are rice during the rainy
season and shallots during the dry season. Products from womens’ market gardens may include shallots,
tomatoes, onions and okra (CDM 2008). The project will also encourage livestock production, including
small-scale dairy and poultry. MCC is working with ACDI/VOCA and ICRAF to provide technical
assistance to improve agricultural production, and enhance access to markets and credit.
Reforestation Context
Alatona residents depend upon vegetation for fuel, construction, fiber, medicinals, fruits and fodder
(Richart 2010, Styger 2007, village meetings on 15-16 September, 2010). Vegetation also provides crucial
services like provision of shade, stabilization of canals, soil fertility improvement, and habitat for wildlife,
among others (Styger 2007). Styger estimates that yearly productivity of natural vegetation is only
0.23m 3/ha in the zone due to overgrazing and intense cultivation of fuelwood (Styger 2007). She found
that per capita consumption per year is 0.62m 3 for firewood alone. Meeting the needs of the 10,000
inhabitants of Tranche 1 (7,433 PAPs and new arrivals) is a considerable undertaking.
MCC/MCA-Mali must employ a strategy for meeting wood demand. As of now they are implementing a
two part approach (Richart 2010):
1. Cut wood: A temporary wood supply was created by the clearance of vegetation that occurred in
preparation for irrigation development. Projected volume was 15,000 m 3 of wood (at 3 m 3 per
hectare) estimated to support the 10,000 people of Tranche 1 for 2.4 years.
2. Reforestation: Initial project designs include plans for development of a 1,550 hectare plantation
forest of fast-growing species.
The current strategy faces several challenges. Preliminary analyses have revealed that cut wood volume
may be less than expected (Richart 2010). As of October 2010, cut wood had been stock -piled, but
unauthorized takings and termites were reducing the supply. The reforestation strategy also requires
revision to meet the needs of PAPs. Some villagers have expressed concern about travel distance to the
proposed 1,550 hectare plantation, as well as potential inequitable and unauthorized cutting of wood if
harvests are not carefully monitored (Welingara village meeting, 15 September, 2010). A project brief
provided by MCC to the USFS team also proposed revision of the single plantation strategy (Richart 2010).
In addition to reconsidering the configuration of planting, species selection should be analyzed. The
current strategy emphasizes Eucalyptus, which is fast growing but not high quality fuelwood. A mix of
exotic and native species may be more favorable from an ecological and multiple-use perspective.
Even if the single plantation is planted as proposed, a shortage of cut wood in the Alatona Zone will cause
PAPs to look outside of the project area for their fuel needs. With 22,000 hectares under its jurisdiction,
MCA-Mali has an opportunity for extensive management that goes beyond the irrigated perimeter as well
as the planned intensive management using irrigation and tree plantations. The Office du Niger and the
Malian Forest Service should be consulted regarding management of forests beyond MCA -Mali’s borders
that are likely to be utilized by PAPs. A well-defined map is needed to clarify the location and status of
forest resources in the entire zone. The Alatona Irrigation Project thus provides an opportunity to
strengthen forest management in the Ségou Region as a whole, and build capacity for integrated natural
resource management among multiple stakeholders.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 12
ISSUES, FINDINGS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
A. FINDINGS
Reforestation is one key to the success of the resettlement part of the rice irrigation scheme. The
installation of fields has required thousands of hectares of natural forest to be cleared; the cleared area was
formerly used as a pasture land and firewood supply source. Now, the lifestyle of sending cattle out to
graze around the village will be impossible to maintain within the settlements of the irrigated perimeter,
and indigenous firewood species will be further away. Anybody who finds Alatona stray cattle in his or her
field at the wrong time of year, looking for forage that was supposed to be included in the reforestation
scheme, will be in immediate conflict with the cattle owner, who is likely to be a neighbor. And anyone
who needs quality firewood in the next few years as plantations get established will have to either walk
further or pay more for wood transported from a further distance.
The “reforestation strategy” is currently based on a study by SODEFOR (2009) that addresses both tree
planting and woodlot installation strategies. As of our visit in September 2010, only a few Eucalyptus trees
had been planted as windbreaks, and the woodlots had not yet been sited precisely. The fact that only one
village (Beldenadji, with 80 concessions) has been resettled as of October 2010 implies that the woodlot
establishment program can be slowed to a pace that corresponds to availability of villages to work on it,
assuming that the process is participatory.
Issues arise from woodlot configuration (one large woodlot, or many smaller ones?) and from the
selection and procurement of species and trees for plantations within them, and are discussed below.
RECALL: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR CLEARING AND PLANTING LAND
The issues around Alatona’s planned village woodlots, the process of bulldozing forestland to install rice
fields -- as well as the distribution of wood from the clearing of land, addressed in the next section -- are
interrelated topics under the Malian laws that stipulate processes and fees related to deforestation and
reforestation:
EXTRACT FROM Etude d’Impact Environnemental du Projet d’Irrigation d’Alatona,
Annexe B : Malian legislation on deforestation and reforestation that concerns the
Alatona Irrigation Project
LAW No. 95-003 OF 18 JANUARY 1995 on organizing for forest exploitation, transport, and
trade in wood: Describes guidelines for conservation, protection, and management of forest
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
resources. Different regulations apply to managed forests, non-protected forested areas, and
wooded zones.
LAW No. 95-004 OF 18 January 1995 establishing conditions for management of forest
resources: In Article 1, the objectives of conserving, protecting, and valuating forest resources
on national forest lands are laid out.
Chapter 2 describes procedures for land clearing.
Chapter 3 defines protected forest species in Mali. Project proponents must inform local
forestry administration officials of the number and position of protected trees. The normal
practice is for the forester to carry out an inspection on the site and write a reforestation plan
that will replace the trees. Once approved, the forester will issue a special permit for cutting a
specified number of protected trees, and will be responsible for monitoring the plan’s
implementation.
DECREE No. 97-053/P-RM OF 31 JANUARY 1997 establishing tax rates for deforestation on
state lands and defining the official southern boundary of the sahelian zone: This decree
specifies conditions for deforestation that would be applicable to Alatona.
Article 2 stipulates that taxes are to be collected for permitted clearing of state-owned
forestland:
a) Sahelian zone:
- Deforestation with stump removal 7 500 FCFA/ha
- Deforestation without stump removal 5 000 FCFA/ha
b) Sudanian zone:
- Deforestation with stump removal 15.000F/ha
- Deforestation without stump removal 10.000F/ha.
In terms of delimiting the zones described in Article 4, Alatona zone is in the sahelian category.
Thus the tariffs for sahelian deforestation should be applied.
DECREE No. 00-022/ P-RM OF 19 JANUARY 2000 establishing the procedures for classifying
and declassifying forests, woodlots, and protected areas on state-owned lands:
Protected areas and reforestation areas are classified by a High Commissioner’s decree. The
formal classification of state forests requires a decree by the Council of Ministers.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
Our team was provided with conflicting information regarding whether or not the settlement sites as laid
out in the maps below are “set in stone” or whether they can be reconfigured. If settlement sites are
already fixed, then a possibility would be to place “new arrivals” into a different part of the scheme
(possibly on the site of the proposed 1,550 ha common woodlot?) and use “new arrivals’” lands for
localized woodlots.
ALATONA RESETTLEMENT VILLAGE KEY
Site of 1,550
hectare common
woodlot proposed
Lands reserved for by MCA
“new arrivals” that consultants --
could potentially be outside the
re-allocated as allocated rice plots
community and settlements
woodlots?
Allocations of land by named village in the original map and a follow-up detailed map of allocations in Alatona’s first
tranche of 5,200 hectares: Pink hatched polygons in the first map are for newcomers; these lands could perhaps be
reserved for community forests, and the newcomers could go into the next plot of land to the northeast, near where the
large 1,550 hectare common woodlot has been proposed.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
The 2009 EIA speaks of legally protected tree species that are found in the forests of Alatona. From field
observations and semi-structured interviews, the author found that some have completely disappeared
from the area:
Pterocarpus lucens and erinaceus (vène), one of the most highly -prized sawtimber species of West Africa
Vitellaria paradoxa (karité), source of shae butter
Bamboo
These others are threatened with disappearance:
Adansonia digitata (baobab)
Saba senegalensis (zaban), a vine producing fruit loved by people and wildlife
Combretum glutinosum , a high-value firewood species
Combretum micranthum , whose leaves are used in traditional “coffee” and can be exported
Ziziphus m auritiana (jujube), an ideal live fencing species that produces marketable fruit
Parkia biglobosa (néré), with pods that are used in savory sauce
Acacia albida (balanzan or kadd), a well-known agroforestry and fodder tree
Anogeïsus leïocarpus (n‟galaman), an ebony -producing wood with high charcoal value
Among these, the last three (in bold) are protected by Malian law; this means that they have special
conditions for exploitation and require a special permit to be cut after inspection by the Malian Forest
Service.
Other protected species that were observed include:
Khaya senegalensis (cailcédrat), another highly -prized timber sometimes called “African mahogany”
Borassus aethiopum (rônier), a single-stemmed palm tree whose timbers resist termites and make
the best construction rafters, and whose leaves are used for many woven household furnishings
Other species described by Diarra in 1998 as being found in the general Office du Niger area, were not
found by Diabaté in Alatona; these were Grewia bicolor, Sclerocarya birrea, Dichrostachys glomerata, Combretum
aculeatum , Stereospermum kunthianum , Diospyros mespiliformis, Terminalia avicennoides, and Maerua angolensis.
Many of these species should be part of the reforestation scheme. (See our recommendations below.)
b. ICRAF species trials on combinations of local and exotic species for
food, fodder, and fuel
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) has contracted with MCA-Mali to execute the “Project to test
adaptation and large-scale dissemination of fast-growing forest and fruit trees” for the people of Alatona.
The objectives of ICRAF’s work are to identify reforestation and agroforestry technologies that are suitable
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
for Alatona and that respond to needs of the rural communities; make appropriate species available to the
residents; and design training and extension materials in French and Bambara (Accord de Subvention 16
April 2009).
Three test villages have been sited to set up plantations; another site belonging to ICRAF was to be
installed on the outside of Alatona and was to contain research plots that could be visited by Project
Affected People (PAPs) of the program. Our team was not able to visit any of the plantations or trials
because of unusually wet conditions and extraordinary rains; however, we did visit the station near Bamako
for follow-ups. There, we were given several publications that ICRAF has developed for their field
extension programs, with MCC/MCA labeling; these are organized and presented very well, in both French
and Bambara. The publications and the information found in them should be used in future training
programs for seedling producers in the reforestation program, both for inside AND outside the irrigated
perimeter.
The species that did well in research trials are listed in the recommendations below.
c. Why Eucalyptus? Why not Eucalyptus?
Eucalyptus is the main species being planned for the 1,550 ha plantation of village woodlots. This species
choice, in our view, should be modified, at least in terms of the percentage of total trees to be planted,
which is currently at 88%. There are several reasons for this recommendation:
Reduction of biodiversity: Widely -distributed documents on Farmer-Managed Natural Regeneration
(summarized by P.J. Cunningham and T. Abasse in Reforesting the Sahel: Farmer Managed Natural
Regeneration, 2005) call large-scale Eucalyptus plantations a “western model” that often has poorer results
than calculated. Benefits of favoring native species include the fact that many species produce a useable
pole and certainly firewood within a year or two; forage value that encourages cattle to leave manure for
subsequent agriculture; increased biodiversity that goes along with better wildlife and even predatory
insects that improve crop yields; income from selling surplus wood; and certainly greater availability of
traditional medicines, fibers, teas, fruits, and so on. Erika Styger, a consultant who authored a forestry
analysis for MCC/MCA, also recommends diversifying plantation species to include more than Eucalyptus,
proposing:
“In particular, species of Australian Acacia should be evaluated as alternatives to
Eucalyptus in woodlots. Just like Eucalyptus, they are not thorny and should not attract
granivorous birds, which is a major concern in the Office du Niger.” (Styger 2007)
Impact on soil fertility: Eucalyptus has been promoted as a wonderful species for reforestation efforts
because it grows rapidly and slows wind down, in turn preventing soil erosion and desertification.
However, experiments conducted in Burkina Faso and Senegal found that the rapid growth characteristic
of Eucalyptus also affects the fertility of the soil by disturbing the equilibrium of bacteria and significantly
reducing the diversity of mycorhizae in the ground (Grégory Fléchet in IRD Actualité Scientifique, May 2008).
So, although it can be effective in windbreaks, one should monitor soil fertility in the long-term.
Greater susceptibility to fire damage: Because of their thin bark and oil content, Eucalyptus are more
susceptible to being damaged by bush fires rather than resisting them as thick -barked local species do.
Exaggerated expected growth rates: Eucalyptus plantations were touted in the 1970s and 1980s as a
cure-all for the fuelwood and building needs of growing cities in West Africa; research showed that they
had high growth rates and would eventually be accepted for use by target populations, in spite of high
investment costs.
While Eucalyptus seedlings are easy to obtain and grow in nurseries, research plots are always in fenced,
protected, and watered sites, which is not the usual condition of outplanted project sites. Often the
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
plantation sites were selected based on high site index, which means that high-quality fertile riverine forests
were bulldozed to put the plantations in. And yet, the yields of these plantations did not reach projected
volumes. In addition, history shows that the species was only grudgingly accepted as firewood due to the
lack of other choices near cities. A classic illustration can be found in the disappointing results of high-
tech, irrigated plantations across the river from Niamey, Niger.
Also in Niger, at Karma, mean annual increment for E. cam aldulensis after 3 years ranged from 7.8 to 20.0
m3/ha under a dry season irrigation regime of 270 mm to complement a mean annual rainfall of 550 mm.
Other examples are found in Appendix 4 on sahelian Eucalyptus projects.
A thesis presented in Burkina Faso found that if Eucalyptus was to reach the monetary value per hectare
that local wood has (based on market demand), it would have to grow at a rate of 10 m3/ha/yr. In other
words, the reported sustainable growth of 0.5 m3/ha/yr of natural sahelian forest is worth the same
amount of money as more voluminous, but less desirable, Eucalyptus growing at 10 m3/ha/yr. (Albert
1981). People prefer the native sahelian species and are simply not willing to pay the same amount of
money for Eucalyptus.
Soto Flandez in “Dry forest silviculture in the Sudano-Sahelian region: Burkina Faso's experience” (1990)
also says that Eucalyptus, Gmelina, and exotic Cassia plantations cost more than $1,000 per hectare yet have
not brought desired results -- yielding 2 m3 per hectare instead of the expected 10 to 15 m3. In contrast,
extensive management involving herders or farmers in forest regeneration may cost as little as $2-$4 per
hectare (costs vary, but are far lower than exotic plantations).
The following table from a study in Cameroon savannas (Management of woody plants in indigenous land
use sy stems of the Sahel: Example of north Cameroon, N. E. Neba, 2009) shows varying growth rates of
unirrigated Eucalyptus depending on soils and rainfall.
One notes that yields reported for Eucalyptus and other exotics are maximized in research because the areas
planted are fenced, monitored, and sometimes irrigated regularly until the trees are grown.
The Alatona project is depending on growth rates of up to 20 cubic meters per hectare per year to resolve
the wood needs of resettled villagers. The trees will not be irrigated because of the high water table. The
risks this seems to invite are discussed further in the next chapter on calculated wood needs of settlers.
While some Eucalyptus species are adapted to dry areas and grow relatively quickly, a monoculture of this
species will reduce traditional medicinal plants, fodder, fruit, and wildlife habitat that will be lost when the
existing woodland is cleared for the plantation. Already, one gets a rather grim read-out on the present
state of biodiversity in this area. A village representative in Siribala (outside the irrigated Alatona
perimeter) informed our team that “quality wood is no longer available”. This project has great potential
to help promote highly -valued native species, rather than contribute to the dire situation of “no quality
wood,” as articulated by the village representative of Siribala, and as observed when traveling through this
region.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
Above is illustrated the currently -proposed reforestation approach to the 1,550 ha common woodlot. All
the squares in bright green are 100% Eucalyptus blocks. Light green blocks are Gmelina (about 150 ha).
There is one “biological” block in the center (25 ha), to remain in natural vegetation for memory’s sake.
There are 9 hectares planned for forage species (Leucaena), reserved to provide fodder for the hundreds of
livestock that are going to be grazing just outside the perimeter in a detached pasture land reservation.
There are several hectares planned for live fencing plants (Prosopis juliflora, Ziziphus m auritiana, Acacia
ataxacantha -- the only indigenous species to be planted).
Construction poles will have certain uses around homes built under the resettlement scheme; however,
fewer poles should be required than under normal circumstances, given the brick construction being used
by MCA for resettled people. Regardless, poles that grow up in Eucalyptus plantations, even if planted
today, will take 4 to 8 years to be ready for exploitation, according to various reports on Eucalyptus growth.
Based on ICRAF’s research and many documents describing the rediscovered value and productivity of
local species, this is an opportunity to alter the “business as usual” approach to plantations and find a way
to accommodate more species that are known and valued by rural residents.
-- What species would you like to see planted in the compensation forests?
--What are the species that are most useful to you?
--What will you do for firewood if your village’s woodlot is located 10 kilometers from the village?
--Are you willing to w alk past the buffer zone between the riverside forest and the perimeter, past the open lands just to the
east, as long as it contains even one stick of firewood?
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
Under the currently -proposed plan of establishing a single 1,550 hectare common woodlot, some settlers
will be required to travel as far as 15 km to get their wood; it is highly likely that, if they find other wood
closer to home, they will exploit it first.
Closer wood that consists of species to which people are more accustomed will be found between the Fala
(the original natural channel of the Niger River’s Sahel Branch, in blue) and the irrigated perimeter; and
between the irrigated perimeter and the grazing area. Recommendations below advocate for managing
these areas that are outside the irrigated perimeter.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
There are several techniques available for stabilizing the canal banks. On the edges of the border canals,
plants such as Echinochloa stagnina, Vossia cuspidata, and Brachiaria mutica are recommended by CIRAD, the
French government’s agricultural technical consultancy. The growth of these species requires that their
roots stay in water, though, and if they continue to grow, the fear is that they will cause the canals to be
overgrown with vegetation. Vetiveria nigrita would probably be more appropriate, as its root system
develops deep in the soil and would thus stabilize the banks; plus, its outer blades are well browsed by
livestock.
Niébé beans are good for fixing soil as well, and can be worked into a sy stem of plowing under or rotation
if sown in the fields. ICRAF has proposed Acacia ataxacantha and Ziziphus mucronata. Proposals made by
agro-pastoralists are always welcomed by the Office du Niger (Maydell von, H.-J. 1983). These options
should be explored soon to minimize soil losses already underway.
Improved access to fuelwood allows time for other activities, including income generation
Agroforestry can result in enhanced food production and products for sale
Nursery management is a potential enterprise for women
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Findings
If reforestation occurs in a manner that reduces time invested in fuelwood collection, women will have
more time available for activities including rice cultivation (income is approximately 500 FCFA per day)
(CDM 2009), milk production (potential of 1.5-2.5 liters/day) (Sidibé 2007), and sale of produce in
markets. ICRAF staff have also recognized the potential of women as successful managers of nurseries
(Samake and Weber, personal communication, 20 September 2010).
MCA-Mali also plans to organize women into a “long term corporate entity” to manage market gardens as
a collective (CDM 2008). This cooperative organization will improve their access to markets and credit.
Because women are not usually directly involved in land allocation decisions, designation of market gardens
under their management will also help secure their access to land.
Many tree species in the region have significant nutritional value, and produce fruits, nuts and leaves
collected primarily by women. The nuts of Vitellaria can be made into shea butter (average consumption is
5 kg/person/year), and the leaves of several species (Adansonia digitata, Combretum micrantum , Tam arindus
indica, Moringa oleifera) are prepared as vegetables (CDM 2009). The leaves of baobab are an essential
ingredient of the commonly prepared Tô dish (40-50g/person/day on average). Because baobab leaves are
only available four months out of the year, a household may pay up to 20,000 FCFA for dried leaves in the
off season (CDM 2009). Through the agroforestry technology of food banks, trees can be planted in high
densities (160,000 plants/ha), kept at a height of 50 cm, and harvested every 15-30 days for fresh leaves.
ICRAF conducted on-farm experiments of densely planted baobab, Moringa and Am aranthus viridis on 2m x
4m plots. Average harvest of leaves per plot was 6kg for baobab (with manure), 7kg for Moringa (with or
without manure) and 10kg for Am aranthus viridis (with manure) (ICRAF 2009).
People also consume a range of fruits from native trees (Adansonia digitata, Annona senegalensis, Balanites
aegyptiaca, Boscia senegalensis, Lannea microcarpa, Sclerocarya birrea, Tam arindus indica, Ximenia americana, and
Ziziphus m auritiana are common species). Ziziphus mauritania is particularly beneficial, and produces fruits 6
months after planting. One tree on irrigated land produces 35-45 kg of fruit per year, with a sale value of
between 50,000-135,000 FCFA per tree. With a spacing of 5m x 5m, thus 400 trees/ha, the potential
reaches up to 54 million FCFA/ha. This is signicant when compared to the income from one hectare of
rice (6 tons at 125-130 FCFA/kilo or 360,000 FCFA post production) (Styger 2007, CDM 2009).
ICRAF is in the process of researching the efficacy of food species at sites in Village K20 (Yagansa
Dioukana in Dogofry Commune) and Sika Village (Diabaly Commune). Three species each of mango,
papaya, tamarind and jujube are being tested, as well as moringa and baobab Tam arindus indica and
Manguifera indica have been successful (ICRAF 4th Trimester Report). A final report on their research
findings is expected in October, 2010.
ICRAF has also trained sixteen Project Affected People, four men and four women from each commune,
in nursery management. Nurseries currently exist in Dogofry and Diabaly and are managed by
cooperatives. This offers a new enterprise and income source, and is a leadership opportunity for women,
who have been targeted by ICRAF as particularly effective managers (Samake, personal communication, 20
September 2010).
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Recommendations
Even a rough inventory would require a certain amount of pre-stratification of the land to account for the
tan “more densely forested” areas and the blue “less densely forested areas” -- and it should be undertaken
with a group of village representatives from the area. Wildlife signs should be noted as well as trees in all
age classes, not just timber wood.
The format of such an inventory would ideally be a strip cruise that would cover at least two north-south
transects through the wider part of the area, as shown.
Some species are protected by Malian law; these should be specially noted in the inventory.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Recommendations
6. If the land clearing contractor is not responsible for canal bank erosion,
then design a bank stabilizing program using paid labor to implement it
Women or possibly unemployed youths could be given contracts to help stabilize canal banks. ICRAF
recommends species known in the area, including Acacia ataxacantha and Ziziphus mucronata. This work
seems urgent, judging by the current state of the banks.
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Recommendations
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I. WOODLOTS AND PLANTATIONS - Recommendations
Recommended: Manguifera indica (exotic) 50-75% survival
Recommended: Papaya carica (exotic) 25% survival
Wood and fodder species had the best survival rates, in blocks established in K20 Village:
Recommended: Acacia senegal (native) 12-88% survival - recall its use as an exportable gum,
medicinal, and fodder tree
Recommended: Khaya senegalensis (native) 81-100% survival - an excellent native fodder, firewood,
and medicinal tree that grows relatively quickly
Recommended: Glircidia sepium (56-88%) - (exotic) - Recall that a tenth to a third of a hectare of
Glircidia feeds a pair of draft oxen for three months in dry season
Recommended: Leucaena leucocephala (exotic) 75-88% - this species practically grows as a weed; its
fodder quality is excellent but its wood quality is very low
Recommended: Acacia colei/holosericea (exotic) 50-88% - fast-growing Australian Acacia good for
fodder, poles, AND firewood
Recommended: Azadirachta indica (neem- exotic) 0 to 88% - Yafong Berthé, the consultant for the
reforestation strategy, stated that 20 neems can supply all the needs of a household including leaves
for fodder, fuelwood, and a certain amount of medicine
(Recommended in moderation) Gmelina arborea (81-100%) - (exotic) Good leaf material and shade, but
poor firewood (smoky)
(Recommended in moderation) Eucalyptus camaldulensis (81-100%) - (exotic) best for construction; fair for
firewood, better for charcoal; some leaves okay for fodder.
The high survival rates of Gmelina and Eucalyptus make these species all the more tempting to favor. But
survival rates of native baobab, cailcédrat (Khaya), tamarind, and jujube (Ziziphus) are also respectable.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
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Stacked wood near Point A inside the perimeter: Large irregularly-piled trees with roots hanging in the air are difficult to
exploit and could be the object of a safety and practicality training program associated with improved woodstoves.
Assuring that settlers have access to the wood that is being cleared from the forest, as MCA is
doing, is a major step forward in irrigated perimeters, and an opportunity to show Office du Niger a
better way to carry out resettlement: with an eye to environmental conservation and fairness. This is
all the more reason to do it carefully and thoughtfully.
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daily amounts of wood used by individuals and by families, and what they use it for. (A surprising amount
of wood may be used to make beer, process karité, or warm up water.) Many MCA documents cite the 0.62
cubic meters per person per year, based on studies on firewood consumption cited in Styger’s 2007 DAI
report (page 11):
Wood consumption in the Office du Niger zone - Section 3.6.1. Firewood consumption
Firewood consumption in rural Mali varies between 0.7 to 2.4 kg/ person / day, depending on
the availability of wood resources (Basile 1997, cited by Traoré 2004). In the Office du Niger
zone firewood consumption was between 0.41-0.64t/person/year in 1987, according to PIRL.
From 1987 to 1998 consumption was rising from 0.41 to 0.54 t/person/year in the irrigated
areas, but declined in the non-irrigated zone from 0.64t/person/year to 0.54t/person/year
(SOCEPI, 1998). Due to lack of updated and more recent data, the wood consumption of
0.54t/person/year is maintained in this report. This translates into 1.5kg/person/day or
0.62m 3/person/year (1m 3 = 875kg).
Firewood consumption in the ON zone is 1.5kg/person/day, 0.54t/person/year or
0.62m3 /person/year. The yearly firewood consumed by 10,000 people is therefore 6200
m3 (or 5425t).
Table 5: Firewood consumption and reforestation surface needed to cover the fuelwood needs
Fire wood m3/person/ t/person/year kg/person/day m3/10,000 Area to be reforested in ha to cover
consumption yr people/year fuelwood need for 10,000 people**
Low 0.29 0.256 0.7 2900 145
Average * 0.62 0.54 1.5 6200 310
High 1.0 0.875 2,4 10000 500
* Average firewood consumption Office du Niger in 1996: 0.62m 3/person/year (SOCEPI, 1998)
3
** A ssumption of production rate of 20m /ha/year for irrigated Eucalyptus (Dakouo, 2002)
Note that this estimated need for hectares to satisfy demand is based on a yield of 20 cubic meters per
hectare per year in the plantation. That is an optimistic expectation and “best case scenario,” which places a
lot of pressure on MCA. On the other hand, the plantation area is set at 1,550 hectares, three times the
requirement cited in this table for “high consumption”. This implies that it is possible to reduce the number
of Eucalyptus in favor of more Acacias and other local species that may grow more slowly but are better
adapted to the ecology and needs of the people. The appropriate species were recommended in the
previous section; many are well-tested by ICRAF.
Ideal use of averages in estimations: Field studies that actually measure wood used in households base
their figures on an average weight of wood consumed per person during the length of the study, and
extrapolate this to a year. They may then convert the year’s weight into stères of wood (stacked wood,
versus pure wood volume), and then from there, convert stères into cubic meters (or they could pass from
kilograms per year directly into cubic meters per year). It becomes unscientific to use one value to the
nearest thousand and multiply it by another value to the nearest hundredth in order to estimate a total, at
least without reporting the error range possible.
Each unit of measure has an error factor associated with it, a coefficient that is just an average of many
measurements, a range of possible values; additionally, the values vary per species of wood being measured.
The take-away point is: Estimations are in the end reports of statistical means, and they might have a wide
range of possible values, but the one who reads the report can never be aware of the possible true value
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
range unless it is reported; the more that conversions and coefficients are used to pass from one unit to
another, the greater the potential error range becomes.
Therefore, in order to “properly” estimate the wood needed by the resettled populations in the perimeter,
you would technically have to know the possible range of numbers of people that will live there; the possible
range of kgs of wood used per person per year; the possible range of volumes per kilogram of wood; and
even the percentage of the wood that is used in cooking versus other uses. No error calculations or ranges
are reported in the estimations of annual wood requirements, nor of wood available in the perimeter, from
the reports we have seen.
Thus, all the estimations should be taken as very rough indications of wood use, and the goal should be two-
pronged: employ sustainable management practices and manage to produce a given wood volume.
Estimation of construction wood need: The method used for estimating the need for construction wood
(bois de service) is convenient : it is based on 10% of the fuelwood volume requirement. However, if
houses are already being built for settlers, is this a realistic figure to use? And even if construction wood was
10% or less of fuelwood use, should 88% of the woodlot area be planted in Eucalyptus poles?
Density of veg. Dominant species Area of veg. class in Estimated volume Total estimated
cover Alatona (ha) of wood M3/ha volume (M3)
Very dense Acacia nilotica
250 25 6,250
Mitragyna
Medium density A. nilotica
1,650 15 24,750
Balanites aegyptiaca
Low density Acacia senegal
3,500 6 21,000
Combretum micranthum
Sparse Various 8,000 1 8,000
TOTAL 60,000
The table is coupled with an interpreted 2006 satellite image from the same CDM report. The map, which is
drawn from interpreting the satellite image into density classes, is shown next.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 33
II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
LEGEND
Road construction site
Village
Nioro-Gorma route
Elevation line
Livestock migration route
Alatona perimeter
Fala de Molodo
LAND COVER:
Barren/arid
Low density forest
Medium density forest
Sparse forest
Very dense forest
Water
Pasture area
The density class-total volume table applies to the whole of the Alatona perimeter and not strictly to
Tranche 1 with its 5,200 hectares. To apply the same method to a subset of Alatona, Tranche 1, would be
exactly the right method to use to estimate volume for the Tranche. The caveats for any estimation of this
type are that the imagery used to stratify must be recent; the stratification must be reliable (though by nature
it is subjective); and the volumes per ha in each class should be based on reliable data.
The image and the table unfortunately exclude the woodlot area (1 ,550 ha); it is unclear why this is
the case. One of the recommendations we have already made is to pass through the woodlot area and
attempt to quantify what will be lost by clearing it for a Eucalyptus plantation.
Ideally, Tranche 1 should have been analyzed separately from the area as a whole, and the hectares per class
should be put in a similar table so that total wood volume could be properly estimated.
Here are two images (believed to be from 2006) from Google Earth that show parts of Tranche 1 where
vegetation is now being cleared. They show different vegetation strata of varying density. The locations of
the close-ups are indicated by yellow squares on the picture of the whole Alatona perimeter:
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 34
II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
1550 ha Woodlot
800m
Two different parts of Tranche 1 (rough boundary in red) with different forest cover (in 2006 Google views).
Although the total wood estimate for the 5,200 ha first tranche was made using 3 cubic meters per hectare
times 5,200 hectares, the same average volume per hectare does not apply to dense forest as to light forest
cover. Areawide volume estimates for the region range from 6.2 to 14.41 cubic meters per hectare (Styger,
2007). Three cubic meters per hectare was used as a low estimate, but the fact that Tranche 1 was not
stratified is still troublesome. After all, if the entire tranche was in the “sparse” classification, the volume
would be 1/3 of the estimate that is being used.
b. Calculations using measurement of tractor piles in the field
Another complicating factor is that some clearing by locals occurred before the bulldozing began in the
perimeter, as people know that the usual practice in Office du Niger is to exclude communities from
planning what to do with cleared wood.
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In the end, it is the volume piled by the bulldozer in the field that is available to settlers (assuming this wood
reaches the settlement sites). MCA has done well to concentrate on using this volume estimate instead of
the others, but the method has its own set of inherent sources of error.
The closest estimate of available wood volume:
A very good effort was made to estimate the actual volume in the field by AECOM Tecsult, reported in
September 2010. The method has two facets:
estimating volumes in piles and extrapolating the hectares represented by each pile (on average), and
estimating larger pieces in piles by measuring circular dimension and height of the pyramid (to the
nearest centimeter), then estimating the proportion of the pyramid that is taken up with wood
volume (to the nearest 5%).
NORMAL SOURCES OF ERROR USING THIS METHOD:
estimation of % of tractor pile that is “vegetative mass”
estimation of % of vegetative mass taken up with burnable wood
extrapolation of number of piles that will be created (since it will be a function of varying forest
density)
estimation of number of hectares represented by each pile (again a function of forest density)
measurements of length, width, and height of piles (to nearest meter on height, to nearest decimeter
on width of sides or radius)
The resulting estimate of wood that will be available per settler was as follows:
Available wood per person = total volume estimated from extrapolating tractor piles
(11,020 m3) divided by number of people in the 33 villages (7,766) = 1.42 m3 per person
Note the different outcomes that are possible if potential sources of error are incorporated:
If the estimations add an error of + - 5% to the original estimation (whose possible error we do not
know), then the total wood available could range at best from 1.35 to 1.49 m3 per person.
If the error is + - 20%, the central range of available wood is 1.14 to 1.70 m3 per person
If the error is + - 50%, the central range of available wood is 0.71 to 2.13 m3 per person.
One more thought on piling up wood for settlers: How long the wood will last also depends on how
soon the new villages will be settled. When we visited, only the first 43 of 800 planned household
relocations had been completed in half a year. The longer the target populations remain in their original
villages, the more they will be using wood from the bush instead of cut wood from within the perimeter.
A conclusion: No matter which volume estimation is closest to the truth, it is evident that the wood piled
up in the perimeter will not last for more than a year or two. Even if it is properly cleaned and made
available to the target users by implementing the proposed distribution of needed tools; even if extension
work is conducted on safely cutting huge root-ended pieces down to household use size (women and men);
even if an orderly and fair distribution sy stem is put in place; the fact remains that some strategy will be
needed to fill the gap between the end of this wood supply and the time that it will take to implement a
nursery establishment and woodlot planting program, followed by the required time for growth of the
planted trees.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
4. A strategy for filling the gap in wood availability that will occur after
stacked wood is used up should incorporate some ideas proposed
previously
The Resettlement Action Plan’s subcontract ALA-D08 (Service de Mise en Oeuvre de la Réinstallation et
Appui à la Communauté) provides for not only managing the entire 22,000 hectares reserved for Alatona,
but also requesting additional lands for pasture and wood requirements:
The activities of this component will result in the complete delimitation of the perimeter
of Alatona. It covers approximately 22,000 ha, of which 14,000 are designated for
irrigation. The rest of the area will support infrastructures that are irrigation, villages,
roads, woodlots, and pasture lands. In addition to the 22,000 hectares, other areas can be
requested to provide pasture and wood for residents of the perimeter. (page 42)
In addition to this idea of requesting land to manage outside the irrigated perimeter, which is the main topic
of this section, there are other ways to add more wood value to Alatona lands. These are described below.
a. Niche planting around the perimeter
These are niches that were proposed in the DAI forestry study where agroforestry trees can be planted to
the benefit of residents:
Niches: A variety of niches within the farming system can be found within three distinct
zones that are of relevance to Alatona farmers:
In Alatona, within irrigated zone: Niches available for agroforestry are canals, roads,
field boundaries, and the fields themselves, a) fields only irrigated during rainy season
(called rainy season irrigated fields in Table 2) , and b) fields irrigated in rainy and dry
season (called dry season irrigated fields in Table 2).
In Alatona, outside irrigated zone: This area covers approximately 5000 hectares that
will not be irrigated. The niches are homesteads and their surroundings, rainfed fields,
cattle corridors, and village communal land.
Outside of Alatona: People coming from different locations (Alatona, Office du Niger,
migrant herders) will most likely use these areas. The pastoral area niche can be found
in this zone.
The agroforestry innovations that can be proposed for each of the niches are presented in
Table 2 and further elaborated in the next section of the report.
Homestead (x) X X X X X X
Rainfed fields X X X X X X
Cattle corridors X (x) X X X
Village com munal land X X X X X X X
Canals and roads X X X X
Dry season irrigated fields (x) X X X X X
Rainy season irrigated fields (x) X X X X
Pastoral areas X X X X X
Table 2 from DAI agroforestry study: Farming system niches and agroforestry innovations of Alatona (pgs 17 and 18)
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
b. The uninhabited zone between the Fala and the canals: a vital
buffer area that is white on the map
A no-man’s land lies between the dug canal that surrounds the new irrigated perimeter and the Fala de
Molodo, a branch of the Niger River that ends about 10 kilometers beyond Alatona. It is white in the map
to the right. This would be one of the niches that could be planted in accordance with Ms. Styger’s
recommendations.
The composition of vegetation on this land was described in the EIA’s Table 4-2 (below). It is basically a
dense low forest, found just next to the river banks, indicated in photo below.
In its less degraded state, the vegetation in this strip includes Mytragina inermis, a riverine species well adapted
to inundation. On other banks is a wide band of Acacia nilotica and Acacia seyal. These are exceptional
grazing and firewood species. Any wildlife remaining in the area gravitates toward these forests.
The ownership of this land is unclear; what is clear is that it will be used heavily by cattle and fuelwood-
seeking householders, since it is the closest bush to most of the new settlements (compared to the proposed
1,550 ha plantation).
It behooves the AIP staff to integrate the management of this important strip of land before it becomes
denuded with the arrival of new settlements. The area of the strip appears to be at least another 1,000
hectares outside the canals.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 39
II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
On the basis of this reasoning, the fact that the number of persons targeted by the program has now been
reduced to 8,000-10,000 means that almost (and only) 10 years’ worth of natural forest lies within the
boundaries allocated to the Alatona MCA project.
Another interesting section of the EIA that draws on archived Centre Technique Forestier des Tropiques
(CTFT) is section 4.2.1.4 Productivité annuelle de bois pour la vegetation naturelle d‟Alatona (Annual
production of wood from natural forest in Alatona, translated):
In parallel with reports on wood volumes contained in forests, there is a great variability in the
literature when it comes to wood productivity per year. The variation in annual woody biomass
increases in the Sahel is on the order of 0.05 to 2.0 cubic meters per year. Von Maydell (1983)
reported a growth rate of 0.1 m3/ha/year for sahelian vegetation. Djimde (1990) reports an
annual productivity of 0.13 m3/ha for savanna with 400-600 mm of rainfall.
In the Office du Niger region, SOCEPI (1998) gives information on different mean annual growth
rates, without detail on vegetation types, sources of information, or method of data collection.
The annual growth according to SOCEPI is 0.29 m3/ha/yr, and for Niono, Sokolo, Macina,
Monimpe, and Kolongotomo, it reaches 0.44 m3/ha/yr.
Another method to estimate annual wood production is by using Clément’s formula (CTFT 1982):
Io = 0.05129 + 1.08171 P2, where
P = annual rainfall in m/yr
Io = wood productivity in m3/ha/yr
So that if rainfall is 200 mm to 700 mm as it is on Alatona site, the productivity is between 0.095
and 0.584 cubic meters per hectare per year. For an average rainfall of 400 mm, annual wood
production is 0.225 m3/ha.
The intense current exploitation in Alatona results in a loss of vegetative cover, which has its own
negative impact on productivity in the zone. Thus, and estimation that is super-conservative is
proposed for Alatona: 0.23 m3/ha/yr for natural forest.
To ensure sustainability, it is recommended to harvest only 75% of the annual growth, which gives
an annual exploitable volume of 0.17 m3/ha/yr… This represents enough wood for 5,500 people
to satisfy their needs sustainably (based on 0.62 m3/person/yr)….
Now, if we were to take the 5200 ha of the irrigated perimeter out of the total 22,000 ha allocated to
Alatona, the remainder in “natural forest” is over 16,000 ha. If you have 16,000 ha producing a sustainable
offtake of 0.17 m3/ha/yr according to the above scenario, you get 2,720 cubic meters per year, which
supposedly is enough to supply over 4,300 people if managed sustainably, and possibly more. (Recall that
this is without any plantation of woodlots.)
The reader is referred to the section under Plantations Focused on Exotics, and to Appendix 4 on Eucalyptus
projects in the Sahel, for details on the productivity of Eucalyptus, for comparison. In summary, the
program is counting on 20 m3 per hectare per year, but some reports on Eucalyptus growth (including those
used for the Reboisement contract for Alatona) indicate that it can take up to 8 years to reach that growth.
Other reports range from 7 to 20 m3/ha/yr if irrigated; the range can be from 1 to 3 m3/ha/yr if not.
The take-away point is that extensive and intensive management techniques should be combined by MCA in
order to overcome differences in estimated productivity and exploitation of natural forests and plantations.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
6. Should MCA receive extra funding to try to finance the remaining 1050
hectares of plantations in the common woodlot?
Currently, MCA only has adequate funding available to finance 500 ha of the proposed 1,550 ha common
woodlot. A question that arose throughout our mission was whether additional resources could be
identified to finance the remaining 1,050 ha of plantation in the common woodlot. This question goes
beyond a simple calculation of how many hectares of planted Eucalyptus are needed to fulfill the needs of
Alatona settlements, for we have heard that it would be preferable to locate woodlots nearer to the new
settlements and to concentrate on species that may be (or may not be) slower-growing than Eucalyptus. The
question should be answered in the light of whether the strategy makes sense and what the alternatives are.
In our opinion, the alternatives that include a larger native species effort and an additional component of
managing forests (even sparse ones) outside the irrigated perimeter are preferable to funding a scheme so
exclusively based on Eucalyptus and other exotics.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
Alatona
FOREST PATCHES
15-km radius
FOREST PATCHES
A look at old Institut Géographique National maps shows the extent of bush and pastureland that still are not densely
populated and could be integrated into a wider wood and pasture management scheme.
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II. WOOD MANAGEMENT INSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
If a woodstove program cannot be implemented because of lack of time and resources, then the program
should help salvage and distribute as much of the remaining stacked wood as possible. Settlers should form
firewood committees that will monitor whether wood quality is deteriorating. If termites (which we were
told have proven to be a problem with some of the stacked wood) are found, then the wood should be
made into charcoal and sold with credit to the intended users, or kept and used by the resettled PAPs.
Whatever use is made of the stacked wood, MCA staff has agreed that it will require a preliminary training in
safe wood splitting and stacking. The position of the large pieces of wood and the irregular shape of the
roots make it a potentially dangerous operation for ill-equipped or unknowledgeable users.
Implementation of a woodstove program would best be accomplished by an NGO in Mali; however, USFS
could possibly act in an advisory capacity for organization/accounting of the activity, or for documenting
the process for future resettlement schemes.
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III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
There has been a push over the last several years to promote land tenure in the rural sector. The
Government of Mali passed an Agricultural Framework Law in 2005 which aims to reduce the costs and
number of the legal procedures for securing land rights, but in reality it is not widely implemented at the
local level (Goislard and Djiré 2007). The Alatona Irrigation Project aims to establish land titles by requiring
PAPs to purchase three of the five hectares allocated to them in resettled areas (CDM 2008). This has the
potential to benefit farmers whose access to land is sometimes revocable, as well as women whose rights to
land are particularly tenuous. However, land ownership is new to most and the system should be carefully
planned to ensure its success. Although land ownership may increase farmers’ security and provide an
incentive for stewardship of resources, there is some concern that land tenure could favor individuals with
capital sufficient to access it, including private firms, at the expense of poorer farmers who may be pushed
off their land (Goislard and Djiré 2007).
The German development agency Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) recently conducted
a study on land tenure in Mali (Diallo and Mushinzimana 2009). They found that farmers who want to grow
rice in the Niger Basin pay an annual rent to those who possess land use rights (typically the Office du
Niger), which is roughly 125,000-150,000 FCFA per hectare, including water fees. At the time of GTZ’s
study in 2009, MCA-Mali was considering charging PAPs 3-4 million FCFA per hectare (or 9-12 million for
all three hectares they are required to purchase). This amounts to 150,000-200,000 FCFA per hectare per
year over a payment period of 20 y ears. MCA-Mali is still in the process of determining the cost that will be
charged to PAPs for their three hectare purchase so that it can be covered with income from rice. Some
villagers have expressed concern about maintaining rice production on their entire allotment due to a
shortage of labor (Welingara village visit, 15 September 2010). The same parcel area (five hectares) was
allocated to each concession, regardless of its size. MCA-Mali should account for possible variation in rice
output across concessions to so that average income is considered when setting the price for land titles.
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III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Questions of ownership and jurisdiction are also an issue in local application of Mali’s forestry laws. ICRAF
has conducted research about legal reforms needed to incentivize protection of forests, particularly with
regard to agroforestry (Yatich et al. 2007 and 2008). Mali’s Forestry Law concerning conservation,
protection and valuation of forest lands (95-004 Article 1) focuses on state lands and excludes agroforestry
sy stems. However, because land is generally held in trust by the government, on-farm trees have been
considered within state jurisdiction and managed by the Malian Forest Service. Yatich et al. (2007) found
that “stringent regulations on access, use and management of protected native trees have affected farmers’
investments on tree management as well as the pursuit of other silvicultural practices”. Many farmers have
cut their on-farm trees to avoid conflicts with “forestry police”. Strict limits on use also do not incentivize
tree planting. In 2008 the government passed the Decentralization Policy Law 96/050 which transfers
natural resource management to communes under local by -laws, and provides for the formulation of a
forest management plan at the local level. Community involvement is a step in the right direction. To make
sure that this decentralized regime is successful, the roles and responsibilities of all relevant stakeholders,
including the Malian Forest Service, should be clarified in decision-making about management of
agroforests.
2. Current land clearing practices of the Office du Niger are often wasteful
Environmental laws regarding land clearing are also in need of stronger enforcement. Private investors who
sign an agreement with Office du Niger to lease a new development site are currently held to few of the
environmental obligations that come with the lease. The emphasis is on producing and selling food, rather
than on the resource base that allows higher productivity. Although the Office du Niger ceded its land
rights to MCA, practices on MCA lands will likely be similar unless a concerted effort is made now to
institute positive change. Thus, MCA has a unique opportunity to do things in a better way than “business as
usual”.
Here is a typical new Office du Niger rice paddy installation scenario that was described to us during our
meeting with village representatives in Siribala:
Large-scale land clearing operations, in the thousands of hectares, are exempt from paying the usual fees
for “défrichement” (clearing), which are 5,000-7,500 FCFA per hectare and higher depending on the
density of wood and whether stumps are also removed.
While the land-clearing developer is running a bulldozer to remove stumps and trees, women follow
behind to get as much of the wood as they can carry.
The men come with wagons behind the tractor to carry away as much as they can, as fast as they can.
Any wood that is not taken away by users within a few days of the clearing operation is burned or buried
by he who is clearing the land, so the investor can quickly get his crop in.
This systematic wood waste constitutes poor management and should be corrected according to ethics
and Malian law to relieve the inevitable wood shortages that occur after development.
It would be useful to dialogue with the Office du Niger to work toward a more equitable and profitable
policy for the wider region. Wood in its present state of scarcity should be quantified and paid for, then
equitably distributed to communities that are “losing” access to this forest while the investor “gains” from
selling cash crops in the long-term.
A “deforestation” management plan for forests under the jurisdiction of Office du Niger will head off future
waste of precious wood and develop better relationships between Office du Niger, the Malian Forest
Service, and affected communities. Such laws exist but seem to remain unimplemented.
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III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Although this finding concerns lands outside the Alatona perimeter, the environmental effects are common
to all settlers in the irrigated lands and will find their way north where more forest lands remain.
Collaborating with the Office du Niger could lead to a more sustainable solution to the regionwide problem
of wood scarcity.
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III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
The number of hectares (1% to 10% of the original area) reforested to “compensate” displaced
villages for lost natural forest land is too small.
As the Office du Niger is ramping up its offers to investors for low - or no-cost access to huge tracts of
irrigable land, a good opportunity for improving the wider environmental impacts of these investments
presents itself. Now is the time to improve the current inequitable wood-wasting scenario that is all-too-
often repeated every time new lands are cleared in the Office du Niger.
Collaboration between MCA-Mali and the Office du Niger is essential as they are adjacent land managers.
Any positive action that MCA-Mali may take will provide a good example for the Office du Niger to follow
suit.
Start with the Forestry and Agroforestry Analysis done by DAI for MCA in 2007:
All of the Office du Niger sub-zones are wood deficient, thus depend on forest resources from
surrounding communes. Most pronounced is the firewood deficiency.
The last in-depth study on ‘Wood and Energy’ in the Office du Niger zone was done in 1996 and
is published by SOCEPI (1998). Already in 1996, all households in the ON zone needed to import
firewood from beyond the village territory.
... In the non-irrigated zones of the ON region, 33% of households admitted there needs to be
fully satisfied from the village territory, 27% partially satisfied, and 33% were not satisfied. The
distances to collect firewood were already very far in 1996. In Niono, people collected wood
along a radius of 65km around the town, for Diabaly the range was 30km, and for Macina it was
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35km. Over 75% of the consumed fuelwood came from these areas covering a total surface of
1.55 million hectares.
Today, the situation has even gotten worse. In the entire Office du Niger village territories
woody resources are further degrading. People travel very far to collect firewood on donkey
carts. A farmer in Molodo explained that he sends his son 3 times a month for 3 to 5 days each
time... to collect firewood far away from the village territory. The collected wood suffices only
to cover the family’s subsistence needs. A donkey cart of collected firewood is sold at 4000-
5000 FCFA in low season, but can reach a price of up to 15,000 FCFA during the rainy season,
when people are busy with rice planting and when fuelwood consumption increases due to
cooler weather conditions (Styger, 2007).
DAI’s 2007 analysis of forestry and agroforestry opportunities resulted in several solid proposals concerning
both tree planting and land management. Much of the analysis was translated into French and is contained
in Annex Q of the EIA; the recommended strategy (below) that concerns this chapter speaks of managing
lands outside as well as inside the perimeter:
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fields from December to May to clean up crop residues and leave manure, and then leave for the “little
migration” in nearby arid pasture land. Thus the fields are as multi-functional as the arid zones, ensuring
that water and food are available to animals in the dry season.
Encroachment of farmland has restricted pasture available for livestock. Millet is the main crop outside the
irrigated perimeter, but with ever more uncertain rains, dry land farmers extend their fields onto more and
more marginal land and into spaces traditionally used by herders. Moreover, firewood marketing has grown
as a side activity that proves more profitable, since it is increasingly the only source of wood in large towns
located in the Office du Niger; this fact was corroborated by our meeting with Siribala villagers (16
September, 2010).
The following map is from Brondeau’s 2003 perspective article. It is a schematic depiction of how different
components of the ecosystem around the “Sahel Branch of the Niger River” interact. The rings represent
growing millet farming villages. They are expanding into a major grazing corridor between Macena and the
Sahel that is used every year.
Brondeau 2003
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 49
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Brondeau, 2003
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 50
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Map of the complementarities and the interdependence of areas around Office du Niger
Niger River, Fala CATTLE MOVEMENT COMMERCIAL ROUTES
Irrigated perimeter for rice and Small and medium rainy Biweekly flux of cereals, garden pro-
gardens season migration towards duce, wood to Niono, Siengo, Macena
Sahel pasture and water pts markets; sold by dry zone villagers
Areas adjacent to Office du Niger Small and medium dry season Biweekly flux for rice and dry area
migration towards irrigated village needs
Office du Niger
Dry areas on the outskirts of O.N. Big rainy season migration Main markets; most products from
towards the Sahel irrigated perimeters
LABOR MOVEMENT for Big rainy season migration
seasonal harvest and planting towards Niger Inland Delta
(end Nov.)
Basin of potential wood supply Principal direction of dry zone
Niono-Diabaly/ Macina firewood towards irrigated
perimeters
Source : Decentralization services CD-ROM ; Le Masson, 1998 ; Haidara, 1993 ; AGEFORE report, 1968 ; Author’s surveys
from 1998,2000,2002 ; Office du Niger offices Niono and Ségou ; SDA Niono, 2001 ; (all referenced in Brondeau, 2003)
Because herders living in arid zones and farmers living in irrigated areas are often from different ethnic
groups (Bambara vs. Peuhl, for example), tensions can be heightened by differences in language, education
or literacy. Our meeting in Welingara confirmed the overwhelming evidence from MCC’s socio-economic
analysis that literacy rates are very low (CDM 2008). Brondeau (2003) says that lack of education worsens
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 51
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
the consequences of droughts and poverty, and compared to the better-educated residents of the irrigated
lands of Office du Niger, illiterate communities can be disadvantaged. Some Welingara villagers cited
literacy as a pressing need, as well as technical assistance to help them adjust to rice cultivation (15
September 2010). They also expressed concern about tending their herds during rice season when labor is
needed in the fields, and how to maintain their millet crops which are on a different production cycle (five
months as compared to three months for rice).
As new lands are being developed in the Office du Niger, it is an opportune moment for addressing these
specific problems. In addition to providing social services and technical assistance, it is important to
understand the needs of different user groups. A first step in the process is to conduct an inventory of
livestock routes, pasture areas and water points on maps for land management planning. This has been
completed by the communes of Dogofry and Diabaly, which are applying Article 26 of Law 96-050 passed
at the national level in 1996 to support management of collective territories. The commune of Dogofry has
designated three watering sites and 20 sleeping sites. Diabaly has identified 21 corridors, 15 watering sites
and 9 sleeping sites.
These features appear on maps included in the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Alatona Irrigation
Project in 2009.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 52
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Unfortunately the livestock paths shown in the EIA do not match those in the resettlement plan (CDM
2008), which may cause confusion among resettled herders and increase conflict.
Welingara
mtg
SNC base
camp
The locations of these paths and their alternatives need to appear on all maps pertaining to resettlement so
that trust can be maintained and conflicts can be avoided.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 53
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
North of
Central Alatona
Alatona
Location of 1550 ha
woodlot
In red: The 14,000-ha area MCA initially intended to irrigate (3 Tranches) on 2006 images, before the project began;
another several thousand hectares are available for the same project on the southeastern side of the perimeter.
In yellow: selected close-ups shown below
Central Alatona:
“forested” area with
part of the proposed
woodlot in brown.
The area leads to the
mapped Alatona
grazing reserve, the
long thin green
polygon on the map.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 54
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
North of Alatona:
pockets of “brousse
tigrée” and “brousse
léopardée” on the
north side of the Fala
- dense combretum
stands surrounded by
bare hardpan. These
are usually rich areas
with relatively
diverse species inside
the tufts of trees.
What will be the
scenario when
herders using this
land are drawn to the
irrigation perimeter
and opt to bring their
animals with them?
Southern corner of
Alatona zone where
the mission visited
(Welingara,
temporary relocation
camp, eroded canal
banks); approximate
boundary of AIP in
red. Important
natural forests are to
the south and east.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 55
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Many
Cattle on the road livestock
and paths
through
lightly
forested
50 meters savanna are
visible
The current woodlot plantation will not be able to satisfy the annual firewood and fodder needs of resettled
villagers until planted trees are sufficiently grown (at least 3 to 8 years optimistically; that is if the trees are
planted today). The stacked wood to be distributed among the PAPs will only last for a maximum of 1 to 2
years (optimistically Ŕ see discussions on wood availability above). In the meantime, pasture lands will be
restricted to narrow passages in the vicinity of the irrigated perimeter.
The only logical solution to this dilemma is to implement a concurrent program of managing forest and
pasture lands outside the irrigated perimeter. There are several possibilities in this regard:
Utilize the 6,000+ extra hectares that have been ceded to MCA and are outside the area that was
planned for irrigation; make a management plan for the woodlands remaining in this large area to
supply the PAPs as well as have some wood left over to sell.
Form associations of water users that have legal status to ask for reforestation lands, pasture lands,
and wildlife reserves from the Malian Forest Service, at the commune level and outside the Office du
Niger.
Make a management plan for the 1,550 ha woodlot (which remains in the MCA plans, though USFS
advocates for smaller community -based woodlots located closer to the villages with which they are
associated) so that the wood offtake is monitored and replacement planting follows immediately.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 56
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
Make a management plan for the “white area” between the Fala and the western canal, which makes
up at least 2,000 additional hectares; it can be used for pasture, wood, and nontimber products.
... We will build technical capacity to improve natural resources management and increase agricultural productivity.
(Strategic Goal Linkage: 4)
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 57
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
organizational chart. A more formal arrangement is proposed in our recommendations, using the Alatona
Irrigation Project as a model.
Organization of the Office du Niger as of 1994 (from Institutional Innovations and Water Management in Office du Niger
1910-1999: The long failure and new success of a big irrigation scheme, J-L. Couture, P. L. Delville, J.B. Spinat, in Documents
de Travail de la Direction Scientifique, 2002)
The AIP/MCA-Mali has relationships with the Malian Forest Service and the communes that are different
than the relationships that Office du Niger has. The proposed organizational chart for USFS intervention
(in the recommendations section) could serve as a model in which USFS withdraws after providing technical
assistance for a determined period of time (USAID proposes 3 years); assistance that includes integrating
Office du Niger and the Malian Forest Service in policy issues and land management beyond the irrigated
perimeter.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 58
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
The need for intervention in the integration of forest and pasture management on a larger scale is urgent.
The scale of this policy issue demands that intervention start with an entity with clout such as MCC/MCA
or USAID. The urgency of this action is illustrated in the following press article.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 59
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 60
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Findings
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 61
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 62
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
USAID/ ACCELERATED
ECONOMIC GROWTH MCC
and MCC
Exchanges on experience,
Assist with legal aspects
land use IEAs with Communes of
planning MCA Office du
Dogofry and Diabaly Niger
concerning pasture/ wood
US FOREST SERVICE
REFORESTATION/ Assist in coordinating PAP requests for forest /pasture lands
ADVISORY FUNCTION
Legal
exchanges, Advise on maps,
planning, Office du MCA contract ALA-10a MCA contract ALA-08 MCA contract 002
défrichement methods
mapping AECOM-TECSULT
Niger YEREDON ICRAF-WAF
Compensation Wood distribution/ Food, fodder,
Malian woodlots inside perim. resettlement fuelwood research
Forest pre-Jun. 2010 Feb. 2010 Apr. 2009
Service PAPs
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 63
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
The chart can be adjusted according to how it best serves the needs of the PAPs and the implementing
agencies. The important thing is to get Office du Niger, the Malian Forest Service, and MCA all on the
same page.
It is also possible to include
an element from the private sector as the forum would see fit
one or several elements from environmental NGOs like Wetlands International (with experience in
extension on ecological awareness and integration of concepts) or Winrock International (with
expertise in organizing villagers into associations)
The starting point would be for the actors to agree that such a concept is worth pursuing, and then
dialogue can begin on the best tact to take in resolving the strategy. The strategy would have to tie into the
“Stratégie de Reboisement” which USFS is proposing to help revise with MCA -Mali together with the
ALA-D10b Reboisement consultant.
Advantages of this activity are numerous:
all the actors are already informed of Alatona activities
research has favored adapted technologies
the problems of pressure on resources affect everyone on some level, and everyone realizes this
the issue of rushing to get the Eucalyptus plantation installed would be alleviated
Designate adequate pasture and livestock paths and indicate timing of use
Designate watering sites, including possible construction of pumps and wells
Allow for regeneration of pasture and water resources
Include planting of fodder species
Protect agricultural lands during planting and harvest
Regulate use of buffer zones
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 64
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
Before land is cleared, the Office du Niger or the Malian Forest Service should conduct an assessment of
the value of the land to be lost, and require mitigation of those losses based on functional acres rather than
density. In some cases very dense forests may be less functional from a habitat, forest health, or fire risk
perspective. Incentives should be given for planting or restoring native, ecologically sustainable forests that
provide a range of services (wood and medicinal products, habitat, clean water, erosion mitigation) rather
than fast-growing monocultures. The performance of compensation forests should be monitored over
time so that those who conduct large-scale land clearing are held accountable for forest losses.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 65
III. FOREST MANAGEMENT OUTSIDE THE PERIMETER - Recommendations
mitigate conflicts caused by migratory land use (herding). Estimate average projected income across
concessions to determine prices for land titles that are affordable in the project area.
A similar multi-stakeholder approach can be used to build capacity at the commune level for applying
forestry laws. This platform can:
clarify stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities (state and local levels)
recognize local communities’ rights and entitlements to native trees
develop a participatory plan to conduct an on-farm tree inventory and monitor tree health
determine how income from permits and licenses will be allocated (Yatich et al. 2007 and 2008)
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 66
IV. POTENTIAL CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 67
IV. POTENTIAL CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 68
IV. POTENTIAL CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 69
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 70
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
STEPS:
1. Organize a forum to meet with stakeholders: MCA -Mali, Yeredon, individual consultants, Commune
reps, Malian Forest Service, PAP reps, required presence of a certain number of women either for focus
group or for large assembly or both. Suggested timing: Jan 2011
2. Present the existing strategy and get feedback on changes needed:
Species for woodlots, niches, and agroforestry inside concessions
Configuration of woodlots (one giant one or several smaller ones?)
Suggested timing: Feb 2011
3. Work with mapper and nursery managers to devise the nursery plan for desired changes in direction;
come up with a new document. Suggested timing: Feb & Mar 2011
4. Present back to PAPs. Suggested timing: Mar 2011
Immediately implement a training plan for women in the resettlement villages so that they
can establish tree nurseries and sell trees
STEPS:
1. Contact the 16 women trained by ICRAF in numeracy and nursery work in 2010; assess level of ability to
train other women. Suggested timing: Jan of 2011, 2012, & 2013
2. Design a training session to get other women up to date on methods for raising favored species; clearly
explain the market that will exist for seedlings raised and the finances involved; form an association with
the women. Suggested timing: Jan of 2011, 2012, & 2013
3. Site land for nursery seedling production; prepare the land for seeding (with women managers in charge).
Suggested timing: Feb & Mar of 2011, 2012, & 2013
4. Assist women in sourcing seeds, cuttings, grafts, etc. for seedlings to be produced. Suggested timing:
Feb, Mar, & Apr of 2011, 2012, & 2013
5. Design an annual workplan with these women and assist them in implementation as needed; follow the
workplan through the growing season. Suggested timing: Feb Ŕ Aug of 2011, 2012, & 2013
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 71
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
6. Earmark money to buy seedlings from financed woodlot and concession plantation program; assist
women with finances and banking of revenues. Suggested timing: April, Aug & Sept of 2011, 2012, &
2013
7. Buy seedlings and organize labor to plant the trees in concessions, in niches, on eroded banks, etc.
Suggested timing: July Ŕ Sept of 2011, 2012, & 2013
If the deforestation contractor is not responsible for canal bank erosion, then design a
bank stabilizing program using paid labor to implement it
(Employment for women or possibly youths to plant adapted species such as Acacia ataxacantha and
Ziziphus mucronata; this would have to be part of the Yeredon reboisement consultant’s mandate)
STEPS:
1. Identify a segment of settlement villages that could work on bank stabilization. Suggested timing: Mar
of 2011 & 2012
2. Associate ICRAF with sensitization and organizational activities to set up teams that will plant canal
banks to keep them from further eroding. Suggested timing: Feb Ŕ Apr of 2011 & 2012
3. Site nursery production areas for producing the necessary seedlings /seeds (inside or outside Alatona).
Suggested timing: Feb Ŕ Apr of 2011 & 2012
4. Contract with laborers to plant banks; do training on methods and followup/ replanting if needed.
Suggested timing: May Ŕ Oct of 2011 & 2012
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 72
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
If a 1,550 hectare common woodlot is planted, develop a local convention on use to avoid
and resolve conflict.
STEPS:
1. Organize a forum of plantation managers (MCA-Mali staff) and at least one representative from each of
the 33 villages. Clearly define and agree upon village woodlot locations within the common plantation.
Identify concerns about use of the common woodlot, including unauthorized exploitation of wood
resources and livestock invasions. Determine preferences for controlling and monitoring use (permits,
self-monitoring by MCA-Mali or by village representatives, etc.). Agree upon a system for managing
conflicts when they arise (mediation by MCA-Mali staff or rotating village representatives). Establish roles
and responsibilities. Suggested Timing: Mar - April 2011
2. MCA-Mali staff and village representatives develop the agreed-upon plan. Elicit ongoing feedback from
PAPs. Suggested Timing: May - Jun 2011
3. Conduct regular meetings of local convention before woodlot is ready for harvest to modify plan as
needed. Suggested Timing: Dec 2011, Jun and Dec 2012, June and Dec 2013.
Set up additional reforestation and conservation sites outside the MCA-irrigated perimeter
The section on managing forests outside the perimeter proposes this action.
Assist in devising management plans (and possibly establishing forest conventions for
villages in the area) for forested lands outside the Tranche 1 perimeter so controlled
consumption occurs before plantation wood is mature
Of particular interest is the area between the long, narrow pasture land and the east edge of Alatona
perimeter, as well as the entire section to the southeast of the perimeter.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 73
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
STEPS:
1. With the communes of Diabaly, Sokolo, Dogofry, and possibly Niono, organize forums that address the
extent and quality of forest/pasture lands outside Office du Niger. It may require 2 to 4 location -based
forums. Suggested timing: Mar Ŕ Jun 2011
2. Find common ground as to the deteriorating state of natural vegetation due to overuse and under
control outside the perimeter. Brainstorm ways to resolve the issue but address legal options that are also
available. Suggested timing: Apr Ŕ Jul 2011
3. Sensitize stakeholders on the process for requesting lands outside the irrigated perimeter from the Office
du Niger for use as managed pasture and wood-producing forest. Do field visits to see potential sites for
this activity. Include the undeeded lands between the Fala and the canals, and degraded wooded areas that
are currently being exploited without regard to any laws/regulations pertaining to usage rights nor
biodiversity concerns. Use the knowledge of the Malian Forest Service and other services that have a
direct interest in the activity. Suggested timing: Apr Ŕ Jun & Oct Ŕ Dec 2011
4. Design a strategy with selected subcommittees of stakeholders for delineating their own pasture and
forest lands within the communes: where the land will be, what the usage rules are, who may and may not
harvest wood and exploit pasture (paid or otherwise), what committees are needed to monitor use.
Suggested timing: Nov 2011 Ŕ Feb 2012
5. Disseminate the proposed strategy throughout the areas and obtain feedback before finalizing it.
Suggested timing: Jan 2012 Ŕ Apr 2012
6. Ratify the strategy among the communes involved; begin implementation via local government.
Suggested timing: Mar Ŕ May 2012
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 74
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
NOTE COSTS for World Bank woodstoves projects in Mali, found in Appendix 9: 150,000 improved
woodstoves were produced and sold at a cost of $1.77 million for technical assistance and consultancies.
Capacity building cost $550,000 for this program plus other stove programs (kerosene and charcoal) plus
setting up 200 rural wood market depots and managing 320,000 ha of forest.
Gather data about pasture use, increase grazing efficiency, and integrate these uses and
practices into land management planning
STEPS:
1. Assemble representatives of herder groups from Dogofry, Diabaly, Sokolo and Niono communes to 1)
verify mapped pastureland, livestock paths, watering sites and sleeping sites, 2) note times that these
features are used and 3) make an inventory of needed infrastructure. Suggested timing: Jan Ŕ Mar 2011
2. Involve a USFS Range Specialist in analysis of current use of grazing areas. Conduct workshops with
herders on techniques for improving grazing efficiency, including rotation of pastureland and reduction in
herd sizes. Suggested timing: Apr 2011
3. Meet with representatives from the Office du Niger, Malian Forest Service, MCA, farmer and herder
organizations to 1) discuss features described in step 1 and agree upon when/how they should be used
while ensuring that agricultural lands are protected, and 2) identify the most viable strategy for regulating or
monitoring use of pasture land. Suggested timing: May Ŕ Jul 2011
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 75
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
4. Generate and disseminate maps that illustrate the features described above. Suggested timing:
Suggested timing: Jul Ŕ Aug 2011
5. Set up regular meetings to evaluate the success of the above sy stem and adjust as needed. Suggested
timing: Dec 2011, July & Dec 2012, July & Dec 2013
Increase capacity for valuing forestlands, enforcing deforestation law, and improving
mitigation of land clearing through “compensation forests”
STEPS:
1. Involve representatives from Office du Niger, Malian Forest Service, and communes in a forum on
deforestation law, (Decree No. 97-053, Article 2), and related tax rates. Determine how to quantify, price
and equitably distribute wood cut from cleared land (possibly use revised MCA-Mali approach as a model).
Discuss compensation requirements and what constitutes a “valuable forest” in the Ségou Region from
social, ecological and economic perspectives. Suggested timing: Jun 2011
2. Conduct a workshop with staff from USFS (and possibly Wetlands International, if affordable Ŕ see
Appendix 7) on a variety of methods for valuing forests, ranging from rapid assessment scoring to more
detailed analysis using metrics and tools. Depending on the intensity of analysis, these techniques can
account for the value of wood products, habitat and clean water. Test options in the field to determine
which is most effective and time efficient for forests in the Ségou Region. Include wetland forests in field
testing to highlight their value. Share lessons learned on mitigation systems in the U.S. and elsewhere,
including Payments for Ecosystem Services schemes that mitigate losses of forests and wetlands. Suggested
timing: Jun Ŕ Jul 2011
3. Train Office du Niger, Malian Forest Service and commune staff in use of preferred valuation methods.
Suggested timing: Jul Ŕ Aug 2011
4. Design a workplan for 1) applying improved valuation systems to deforestation law and 2)
implementing an efficient and equitable cut wood distribution sy stem. Suggested timing: Jul Ŕ Aug 2011
5. Test this workplan on one or more pilot sites and evaluate its effectiveness. Suggested timing: Jul 2011-
Jul 2012
Sponsor decentralized mapping and image capabilities for the entities to be involved in
region-wide land management
STEPS:
1. Identify actors in the arena of mapping around Alatona lands; what their needs are; whether stakeholders
can use their products easily and have access to them (MCA, ICRAF, and Malian Forest Service especially -
- as Office du Niger/Ségou has a unit in place). Suggested timing: Apr Ŕ Jun 2011
2. If the needs assessment is strong enough, design and carry out a training and updating program for
mapping specialists and GPS users within the context of land management for Alatona and surrounding
lands. Suggested timing: Jun Ŕ Nov 2011
3. Practice producing maps for the forest inventory suggested above and for forest/pasture management
targets outside the perimeter, and take the maps to stakeholders to test their utility. Suggested timing: Oct
2011 Ŕ Jan 2012
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 76
V. SUMMARY OF POSSIBLE USFS ASSISTANCE AND SUGGESTED TIMING
Facilitate communication and capacity building among national and local government
agencies, farmers and herders to promote successful implementation of land tenure and
forestry laws
STEPS:
1. Convene national governing agencies (Director General of Fonds du Développement en Zone
Sahélienne, Direction Nationale de la Conservation de la Nature, administrators of the Domain and Land
Tenure Code) and representatives from cercles, communes and villages to clarify the current status of land
tenure and forestry laws. Address local perspectives on land tenure (pro and con) as well as the needs of
herders who are dependent on flexible land rights. Solicit feedback from local land committees in
decisions about how land transactions should be legalized and validated. Suggested timing: Jun 2011
2. Develop an on-going platform of above stakeholders to address conflicts/needs related to land tenure
and user rights over indigenous tree species. Suggested timing: Jun Ŕ Jul & Dec 2011, Jun & Dec 2012, Jun
2013
3. Conduct technical assistance workshops to 1) increase capacity to enforce local bylaws related to
agroforestry and 2) involve rural communities in managing agroforests, including on-farm tree inventories.
Suggested timing: Nov Ŕ Dec 2011
4. Develop a monitoring sy stem to track how income from permits and licenses for tree cutting is
allocated at the commune level (ideally, this would be invested in reforestation). Suggested timing: Nov Ŕ
Dec 2011, Jun & Dec 2012, Jun 2013
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 77
APPENDICES
APPENDICES
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 78
APPENDICES
13 September:
- 8h00-10h00, USFS team meets with USAID, Bamako
- 10h00, leave for Ségou
- 14h00- 16h00, meet with Office du Niger and Regional Office of Direction Nationale des Eaux
& Forêts
14 September:
- 7h30, leave Ségou for Alatona
- 10h00-12h00, meet with MCC/MCA, representatives of Office du Niger/Kouroumary Zone,
Direction Nationale des Eaux & Forêts, and other contractors at Alatona site
o briefing on MCA/MCC and Office du Niger activities
o visit to the main canal and rice perimeter
- 14h00 return to Ségou
15 September
- 7h30, leave Ségou for Niono/Alatona
- 9h00-10h30, meet Direction Nationale des Eaux& Forêts/Niono and Office du Niger/Niono
- 11h30- 12h30, meeting with representatives from one village in the process of resettling:
Welingara
- 12h30, return to Ségou
16 September
- 7h30, leave Ségou for villages outside Alatona project
- 10h00-11h00, meet with representatives of villages outside of the Alatona project area: Lamina
Bugu, Siribala Cura, Siribala Koro and Heremakono Cura
- 11h00, return to Ségou
20 September
- 9h00- 11h00, meetings with ICRAF staff, Bamako office (Smith) and Amadou Camara, MCC
(Polansky)
- Debriefing materials sent via email to USAID/Mali staff (USAID offices closed unexpectedly due
to Mali’s Independence Celebration)
21 September:
- 9h00 meeting with Wetlands International about potential extension work
- USFS team departs
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 79
APPENDICES
I. Introduction
The US Agency for International Development (USAID)/Mali has requested US Forest Service
(USFS) technical assistance pertaining to reforestation in the Alatona Zone of the Ségou Region of
Mali. There is interest in creating a collaborative relationship between USAID/Mali, USFS, the
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and the Millennium Challenge Account-Mali (MCA-
Mali). USAID/Mali proposes this relationship focus on forest management efforts in the Ségou
Region, that it be financed by USAID/Mali, and that it be implemented by USFS in collaboration
with local partners. USAID proposes a three-year collaboration between USAID, USFS, MCC,
MCA-Mali, and appropriate Malian Government partners (including the Ministry of Agriculture and
Environment, and Direction Nationale des Eaux et Forêts [DNEF]).
USFS, USAID/Mali, and MCC will conduct a joint mission from September 12 - 18, 2010 to
examine the status of forest degradation in the Alatona Zone of the Ségou Region, and make
recommendations regarding community needs, and capacity building opportunities for Malian
government staff as relates to planning and carrying out forest regeneration activities.
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 80
APPENDICES
2. USAID/Mali
Arrange mission itinerary, including appropriate meetings.
Arrange and provide all ground transportation for the USFS team while in-country.
Coordinate accommodations.
Coordinate meals while in the field, if no restaurants are available.
Inform the USFS team’s mission preparations (before team’s departure for Mali) including:
- specific desired outcomes
- providing relevant background data (including the Environmental Impact Assessment
conducted by MCC for the Alatona Zone, the Resettlement Action Plan for the Alatona
Irrigation Project, other relevant reports and/or maps)
*Of note: USAID/Mali has indicated that they prefer to communicate directly with MCC, and
relay relevant information to USFS.
Arrange for any relevant meetings / consultations for the USFS team while in-country.
As necessary, arrange for translator while in the field.
Identify at least 1 USAID/Mali and 1 MCC representative to take part in and advise this
mission and its preparations.
3. MCC Mali
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Share relevant background data on the project and deforestation issues with the USAID and
USFS team.
*USAID has indicated that they prefer to be the first point of contact for MCC, and will pass
relevant information to USFS.
Participate in the field visits, if available, and facilitate setting meetings with local actors in
the region.
V. Deliverables
The mission will accomplish the following:
Provide a mission report to USAID and MCC in Mali documenting mission activities,
findings, and recommendations for future actions as relates to forest management in the
Alatona Zone, and possibly other areas of Mali. This mission report will also contain
recommendations regarding necessary follow-up and timing for subsequent forest
management missions. Finally, the mission report will outline an appropriate role for USFS
in supporting this effort on the ground, based upon mission findings and current partner
capacity.
USAID
Jean Harman, Economist, Team Leader Accelerated Economic Growth Team,
jharman@usaid.gov, Tel: 223-270-2741 / 270-2300
Mamadou Augustin Dembélé, Mission Environment Officer, Accelerated Economic
Growth Team, USAID Mali mdembele@usaid.gov, Tel: 223-2070-2300; 2070-2713; Home
223-2020-3965; Cell:6674-5397; 7631-8897
Aminata Diarra, NRM Program Specialist, Accelerated Economic Growth Team,
USAID/Mali adiarra@usaid.gov, Tel 223 -2070-2776; Cell 6675 1704
Karen Ramsey, Deputy Team Leader Accelerated Economic Growth Team,
kramsey@usaid.gov, Tel: 223-2070-2300
MCC
Amadou Camara, Agricultural Economist, Senior Development Specialist (Bamako)
camaraa@mcc.gov, Tel: 223-20-70-27-51 / 223-66-75-76-26
Charlotte Bingham, MCC Office of Environment and Social Assessment (Washington, DC),
binghamc@mcc.gov
Jonathan Richart, MCC Office of Environment and Social Assessment (Washington, DC),
richartjm@mcc.gov
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Yafong Berthé
MCA Consultant, Reforestation Strategy
Boubacar Diarra
SNC-Lavalin, Environment
Yacouba Maiga
MCA Consultant, Planting and Reforestation
Yeredon
Mobile: (223) 66 90 25 80
(223) 78 26 81 59
Ouodiouma Samake
Ingénieur Agroforestier
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
ICRAF-SAHEL, BP: E5118, Bamako, Mali
Bureau: (223) 20 23 50 00
Mobile: (223) 66 79 09 63
(223) 76 16 27 24
Email: o_samake@hotmail.com
Aziz Sanogo
Reforestation Specialist
MCA-Mali
sanogoaz@yahoo.fr
John Weber
Consultant, Domestication des Arbres
World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF)
ICRAF-SAHEL, BP: E5118, Bamako, Mali
Bureau: (223) 20 23 50 00
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Mobile: (223) 66 92 59 11
Fax: (223) 20 22 86 83
Email: j.weber@cigar.org, johncrweber@aol.com
Representatives from the following villages: Lamina bugu, Siribala Cura, Siribala Koro, Heremakono
Cura, Welingara
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producers of poles and fuelwood, the next two (Anogeissus and Dalbergia) for shelterbelts and fodder, and
the fifth (Khaya senegalensis) for general purpose sawtimber.
Table 1. Partial results of two species elimination trials, Mali.
A third trial, of 10 species, was planted on unridged bottomland at the end of the flood period in
October 1977. Encouraging results were obtained from six species (Table 1). Eucalyptus camaldulensis, the
River Red gum, which grows naturally on river floodplains in Australia, gave the best all-round results in
these conditions, mean annual height growth being as much as 2.5 m and diameter growth at breast
height 2.5 cm/year.
As noted, the trials tested two irrigation methods: flood irrigation on the unridged bottomlands and less
inundating watering where ridges were used. ...
Under the particular hydrological conditions of the trial area, the trees appeared to be unable to develop
root systems to any depth on unridged ground, particularly where inundation or a high water table was
prolonged by supplementary irrigation.
This factor was believed to be responsible for heavy mortality in a spacing trial planted in October 1978.
Ridge planting has the advantage of enabling root-system development to take place above flood level.
However, the method entails the extra cost and labour of ridging. Accordingly, a trial without irrigation
or ridging was planted in the last year of the project, with encouraging early results. A shelterbelt with
three rows of A. indica (neem) was planted in the vicinity of the project area in 1975 followed by others
of four rows each of E. camaldulensis and C. equisetifolia in 1976. Survival was 80% for the first two species
but the C. equisetifolia did not thrive.
...A move was made to encourage testing of promising species and irrigation and other cultural
procedures on an operational scale by volunteer farmers working with the benefit of technical advice and
nursery stock provided through the agricultural extension service. These developments have the potential
to alleviate the scarcity of fuelwood and poles, as well as to ameliorate the environment through
shelterbelt effects. The growth rates of the more successful young plantations are regarded with
amazement by the local people. The secret of success will lie in a proper understanding of the hydrology
of riverain areas of this kind and in matching species and plantation methods and designs to them (M.
Grut, World Bank, Washington, DC, USA, personal communication, 1984).
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Niger -1
On regularly flooded river-basin soils near Goudel, the total volume (outside bark) MAIS at 5.5
years were 31.6 m3/ha for an E. camaldulensis trial ...
At Karma, under an irrigation regime of 270 mm of water from October to May to augment a
mean annual rainfall of 550 mm, MAIs in an E. cam aldulensis provenance trial after 3 years ranged
from 7.8 to 20.0 m3/ha.
In an unreplicated test of irrigation rates of 0, 270, and 460 mm/season, MAIs for the same
species at 3 years were 4.6, 12.1, and 12.9 m3/ha, the trees receiving the second and third rates
clearly having reached the water table.
In a flood irrigated spacing trial, again of E. camaldulensis, MAIs at 2 years ranged from 16 m3/ha
for a spacing of 3 x 3 m to 38 m3/ha for 1 x 1 m (Hamel 1985). Jean Gorse (World Bank,
Washington, DC, USA, personal communication, 1984) believes that well designed and
conducted irrigated Eucalyptus plantations in the ares would produce an average of 15-20 m3/ha
per year.
Spacing
At Lossa (550 mm annual rainfall, PET 1850 mm), a flood irrigated spacing trial of E. camaldulensis was
initiated in 1975: 400 mm of water were applied over 18 months. At 2 years, MAIs in terms of solid
volume equivalents of stacked wood decreased with increased spacing (Table 2).
Also at Lossa, a trial to compare three rates of localized irrigation with no watering, using the technique
of the Société d'exploitation des techniques de l'irrigation (SETI)/Bas-Rhone, was initiated in 1978 on
the light soils of the alluvial terraces. The rates of irrigation combined with the rain that fell were in no
instance more than 32% of PET. For this reason, no significant differences in growth were observed
between treatments after 3 years. Growth on these infertile, porous soils was poor and the root systems
occupied small volumes of soil.
A nearby trial of shelterbelts planted on the raised levees between flood irrigation basins resulted in more
impressive growth. This was taken to demonstrate the importance of selection of irrigation method,
because root development was more widespread, and because of the benefit of soil working in the basins
(Barbier 1977, 1978; Delwaulle 1979; Barbier and Louppe 1980; Hamel 1985).
Encouraged by the results of these early trials, the World Bank decided to support an applied research
project to develop irrigation procedures in a 400-ha 2-year project (subsequently reduced to 240 ha) for
application on an operational scale. The Table 2.
Solid volume production of an irrigated spacing trial of Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Lossa, Niger,
1976 : Area selected, 35 km northwest of Niamey, was on the first of the lower river terraces, some 15 m
above the river, between the bottomlands of Namade-Goungou and a nearby chain of sand dunes. The
relief, variable sandy soil, hydrological characteristics, and high cost of earth moving on this rolling
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terrace area would not permit the use of traditional flood or furrow gravity systems of irrigation.
Accordingly, two systems by which water is transported under gravity through pipes were used. Of the
two areas established in the lst year, one covering 100 ha used the low -pressure gravity "California"
irrigation sy stem by which water is distributed to percolation depressions at the bases of planted trees by
narrow concrete channels and short lengths of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping. The other was a 35-ha
development using the SETI/ Bas-Rhone localized irrigation sy stem, which had given promising early
results (already mentioned) at Lossa. This system was also used for a 105-ha extension of the program in
the 2nd year.
Numerous difficulties were encountered in the early stages of this work. They stemmed partly from the
initial lack of experience of local staff in handling specialized irrigation and other equipment, partly from
the need to adapt the systems under development through several stages to the local ground and soil
conditions, and partly from clogging of filters and finer pipes by sand, but principally from the difficulties
and breakdowns that attended the various methods attempted to pump water out of the river, all but the
last of which had to be discarded.
The method eventually retained was to use a submersible pump anchored to bedrock in the riverbed.
Earlier efforts to use a pump on a raft, delivering water through a flexible pipe, had proved impracticable.
Variable and sometimes poor plantation development resulted from irregular, uneven, and sometimes
excessive watering, the use of genetically poor seed, poor root development (particularly when it was
confined to the immediate vicinity of the piped water sources), and the poor nutrient status of the soil.
Growth rates approximated 3 m3/ha per year under localized irrigation, which was disappointingly
low. Under the "California" sy stem, growth was twice that rate. The importance was demonstrated of
ensuring full early occupation of the site in the interests of efficient use of water and optimum
production. Nevertheless, it was encouraging that good stands of E. camaldulensis were established in
some areas, their heights being 6-8 m after 2 years. Soil or water salinity have not been problems except
in brackish areas, which, however, are clearly indicated by the growth in them of the dwarf doum palm.
The direct investment and operational costs of these trials were inevitably high in view of the trial-and-
error approach used in some phases and the small area of the plantations. Those for localized irrigation
under these conditions were 50% higher than for the "California" sy stem.
It was concluded that, given stability of the overall system used, an average overall production rate of
10 m3/ha per year would be sustainable. In view of the prices that can be expected for fuelwood and
poles in relation to the costs of production, however, and because of the overriding daims for land for
agricultural production, it became clear that tree plantation should be undertaken on the basis of
integration with irrigated agriculture.
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coordination des marchés et la coordination des travaux, équipements et l'installation; (ii) préparer les
plans d'ingénierie détaillé et les lots de soumission pour les Infrastructures Sociales dans la Tranche 1; (iii)
servir comme Spécialiste du Client dans la Supervision de la construction de toutes les Infrastructures
Sociales et d'Irrigation; et (iv) fournir toutes les activités de planification spatiale de village pour la
production de tous les documents d'Infrastructures Sociales.
Consultant (ASDA) de l'Activité de Développement des Systèmes Agricoles (ALA -EO1).
Ce consultant va coordonner la distribution des kits de démarrage, aussi bien que la mise en place et la
formation des organisations paysannes, la mise en place et la formation des associations des usagers d'eau
(ALTE), la gestion des activités agricoles, la production agricole (ex: riz, échalotes, le maraîchage) et le
transfert de technologie issue du programme de subvention de la recherche agricole). En plus, ce
Consultant ASDA va contribuer à la mise en place d'un sy stème financier stable qui permettra aux
paysans dans la zone PIA de pouvoir accéder à des Services Financiers de qualité selon leurs besoins.
2 Entité de mise en oevre, filiale gouvernementale (agence, Ministère, services techniques chargés
suivant leur compétence et expertise de la mise en oeuvre d'une partie du Compact).
(page 44)
Appui Direct aux Paysans (ALA-FOI). Un programme de subvention (sous forme de mise de fonds)
qui permettra aux populations affectées par le projet sans historique bancaire d'avoir accès aux services
financiers.
Consultant pour l'Alphabétisation Fonctionnelle et le Calcul. Ce prestataire va former les PAP à la
lecture, à l'écriture et au calcul dans les langues Peulh etlou Bamanan.
Education aux Droits Foncier (ALA -COI). Ce Consultant doit appliquer une stratégie de
communication de masse pour mieux faire comprendre aux personnes affectées par le PM et aux
populations de l'ON les droits et responsabilités liés à la propriété foncière. Le consultant doit fournir
l'appui à la Commission de Sélection des NA.
Titre Foncier et Distribution (ALA -C02). Ce consultant est chargé de la création, de l'enregistrement
et l'immatriculation des parcelles de terres aménagées.
Conception de l'Entité de Gestion (ALA -C03). Une étude en cours actuellement proposera le
mécanisme institutionnel de gestion future du périmètre irrigué d'Alatona après la fin du Projet.
Consultant Etude de Reboisement (ALA -D09). Ce consultant qui est en cours de recrutement va
étudier les différentes espèces pour le reboisement qui existent dans la zone de l'ON, et faire des
recommandations au MCA sur les meilleurs types à utiliser pour les bosquets villageois et dans le
périmètre à reboiser. Il devra proposer des méthodes de protection du bois de défrichement
rassemblé et stocké par l'entreprise ALA-BO1 contre les termites.
Le Consultant DO8 s'assurera que ses activités sont bien coordonnées avec celles des
consultants et contractants cités ci dessus.
Entités de Mise en Euvre:
Office du Niger (ON). L'ON assurera la gestion et l'adduction d'eau appropriée et adéquate au
périmètre de Alatona.
Direction Nationale des Domaines et du Cadastre (DNDC). La Direction Nationale des Domaines
et du Cadastre est une agence gouvernementale chargée d'enregistrer les droits de propriétés foncières et
d'octroyer des titres fonciers dans la zone du projet.
Direction Nationale de l'Assainissement et du Contrôle des Pollutions et des Nuisances
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-----------------------
CONTRACT ALA-D10B AND THE NOTE DE REBOISEMENT FOR 2010 BOTH HAVE
THE FOLLOWING TEXT
Note that the last item is to integrate ICRAF agroforestry results.
I. OBJECTIF :
L’objectif global du reboisement compensatoire en 2010 est d’assurer une protection
des villages contre les vents par :
l’installation d’un rideau vert et de brises vents autour des villages,
La plantation d’arbres fruitiers ou à ombrage dans les concessions.
II. ACTIVITES :
Sur la base de l’étude SODEFOR, le programme de reboisement comprendra la plantation de :
26424 plants en bosquets villageois dans les zones de réinstallation,
2006 plants de haie vive,
2 376 arbres fruitiers (manguiers notamment) ou à ombrage en plantations à domicile dans les 792
concessions affectées par le PIA;
11920 plants de regarnissage,
III.APPROCHE METHODOLOGIQUE :
La mise en œuvre du reboisement compensatoire en 2010 sera faite à travers l’assistance technique au
MCA d’un Consultant individuel spécialiste en reboisement et une Organisation Non Gouvernementale.
Consultant individuel en reboisement :
Ce consultant individuel en reboisement sera recruté par consultation restreinte d’au moins trois (03)
experts nationaux. Il apportera une assistance technique au MCA Mali pour la conception, la mise en
œuvre et le suivi d’un programme de reboisement pour 2010 basé sur l’étude SODEFOR. A cet effet il
sera chargé de :
la conception d’un programme de reboisement,
suivi du reboisement et des plantations,
Le choix des essences à planter tiendra compte du souci des populations à satisfaire les besoins (bois de
chauffe, bois de service, fourrage, plantes médicinales, etc) de l’adaptation de ces essences à la zone, de
leur productivité. Les espèces à planter, porteront sur des espèces locales et exotiques et seront choisies
avec l’appui du Consultant individuel sur la base des indications :
du plan de gestion environnementale et sociale du PIA,
du plan de reboisement des 1,550 ha ;
des résultats de recherche en agroforesterie en zone Office du Niger.
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NOTE LITERACY LEVELS FROM VILLAGE INFO EIA APPENDIX F =VERY VERY LOW
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Ecosystem based climate change adaptation training of trainers - 3-8 May 2010; Example of day to day schedules:
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(1) 151 million FCFA (300,000 US dollars, from Canada CRDI) over 3 years for developing vegetation
descriptions and for capacity building and info dissemination on biodiversity themes in Burkina and Mali.
Thème de recherche 1: „ Enhancing biodiv ersty of agroforestry parklands and improving the well-being of
the rural poor in the Sahel ‟ (Projet Biodiversité au Burkina Faso et au Mali)
Directeur de recherche : Antoine Kalinganire (ICRAF) Période de performance : 2003-2006
Montant global du budget : 151 184 000 FCFA. Source de financement : CRDI
Résumé : L’objectif global était d’améliorer le niveau de vie des paysans démunis en ressources à travers
l'amélioration et la conservation, l'enrichissement de la biodiversité et le renforcement des fonctions écologiques des
parcs. Les travaux menés ont consisté principalement à la caractérisation des terroirs et au renforcement des
capacités des acteurs. Le projet a mené des activités de dissémination auprès des communautés rurales des 24
villages pilotes du Mali et Burkina Faso.
(2) $3.5 million over 3+ years (from USAID) for identification and dissemination of adapted agroforestry
technologies, community capacity building, and local governance in Guinea.
Résumé : L’objectif de la composante est d’œuvrer à l’augmentation des revenus des populations pauvres à travers
l’identification et la diffusion des innovations agroforestières adaptées, au renforcement des capacités des
communautés ainsi que l’amélioration de la gouvernance locale dans la zone du Fouta Djallon, Guinée.
(3) $1.5 million over 2+ years (from FIDA/IFAD) for improved management of agroforestry parks in
sahelian Burkina, Mali, Niger, Senegal.
Thème de recherche : Renforcement des stratégies de subsistance à travers une utilisation et une gestion
améliorées des parcs agroforestiers au Sahel (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger et Sénégal)
Montant global du budget : 1 500 000US$ Source de financement : Fonds International pour le
Développement Agricole (FIDA)
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Résumé : La diversification et l’amélioration de la gestion des arbres et des arbustes autochtones dans les parcs
agroforestiers, ainsi qu’une meilleure commercialisation des produits issus de ces espèces, peuvent contribuer à
alléger la pauvreté des populations en permettant aux paysans surtout les plus pauvres de diversifier et de stabiliser
leurs sources de revenu, ainsi que de renforcer la sécurité alimentaire et sanitaire de tous les membres de la famille.
Les ménages ruraux et surtout les plus démunis, étant les premières victimes de la dégradation des ressources
naturelles, y compris les ressources génétiques des arbres et des arbustes locaux, doivent être les premiers intéressés
par l’utilisation et la gestion durable de leurs ressources. Ceci requiert néanmoins l’existence d’un contexte politique
et socio-économique qui leur confère la capacité et les moyens. Ce projet vise à faciliter un processus qui amène les
paysans démunis à se sentir suffisamment autonomes pour investir dans la gestion et l’utilisation durable, ainsi que
dans la conservation des espèces autochtones d’arbres et d’arbustes agroforestiers.
(4) 5 million FCFA ($10,000, over 12 months) from Holland for initiating rice producers into
techniques for producing and planting agroforestry seedlings, managing woodlots, and market
gardening.
(NOTE: This is a capacity-building assistance that will be useful for Alatona case.)
Montant global du budget : 5 millions Fcfa Source de financement : Office du Niger Ŕ Ambassade
des Pays-Bas
Résumé : Initiation des exploitants agricoles aux techniques de production des plants agroforestiers, aux techniques
de plantation et de gestion des boisements et aux techniques de maraîchage. Les résultats obtenus ont permis de
renforcer des capacités techniques et organisationnelles des communautés locales dans l’installation, la gestion et
l’utilisation des espèces et technologies agroforestières génératrices de revenus.
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Annex 2. Project Costs and Financing: Project Cost by Component (in US$ million equivalent)
Appraisal Actual/Latest Percentage of
Project Cost By Component US$ million US$ million ___Appraisal__
G. T.A., Consultancies, and Studies 1.77 2.36 133
A. Fuelwood Master Plans 0.88 0.95 108
B. Village Forest Management Plans 2.00 2.36 118
C. Carbonization Program 1.10 0.18 16
D. Kerosene and Charcoal Stoves Program 1.00 1.22 122
E. Institutional Support and Monitoring Program 1.44 0.61 103
F. Skills Development and Public Awareness 1.30 0.55 47
Summary:
COST OF IMPLEMENTING A PROGRAM TO DISTRIBUTE 110,000 KEROSENE AND CHARCOAL
STOVES: 1.22 MILLION $U.S.
COSTOF IMPLEMENTING 150,000 IMPROVED WOODSTOVES: contained within skills development
COST OF IMPLEMENTING 200 RURAL MARKET SITES (fuelwood master plans): 950,000 $U.S.
COST OF IMPLEMENTING 320,000 HA OF VG-MANAGED FOREST: 2.36 MILLION $U.S.
COST OF ASSOCIATED SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND PUBLIC AWARENESS 550,000 $U.S.
------------------------
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DU KOUROUMARY – ALATONA
RAPPORT TRIMESTRIEL N° 5
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Le World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) et ses partenaires de recherche au Mali et en particulier l’IER, ont conduit
des études d’analyse-diagnostic et de caractérisation, en vue d’identifier les contraintes auxquelles font face les
paysans du Mali. Les résultats de ces études ont servi de base pour concevoir des solutions agroforestières
appropriées, susceptibles d’améliorer les conditions de vie des paysans et de conserver l’environnement. Les
résultats de recherche ont également servi à la création d’un environnement politique favorable à la gestion des
ressources naturelles. Les activités conduites ici se sont focalisées sur: la culture des essences agroforestières
locales et la diffusion des technologies agroforestières éprouvées. Nombreuses technologies agroforestières
innovatrices ont été développées comme les haies vives, les banques fourragères, les banques alimentaires et
nutritionnelles et la production de plants et la mise en place des bosquets (bois et fourrage). Cette présente
recherche a été élaborée dans un cadre qui permettra de tester l’adaptation, suivi de la mise en œuvre de ces
technologies de reboisement et agroforestières, afin de contribuer à renforcer les fonctions écologiques et la
production de l’arbre sur les terres de la zone du Kouroumary (Alatona).
Le tableau 1 ci-dessous donne les informations générales sur le projet et le tableau 2 représente la matrice des
réalisations ou le chronogramme des activités.
Informations générales
N° du projet : 002
Période d’établissement de
5ème Trimestre
rapports
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Comme le dit bien un vieil adage, je cite, ‘Voir une fois vaut
mieux qu’entendre 100 fois’, fin de citation ; la coordination
IER-ICRAF organisa les visites intersites des essais participatifs
par les populations des 2 villages tests sous l’œil intéressé des
représentants des élus communaux.
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+ approvisionnement de
Janvier 10 Octobre 09
Essais entretenus $ 2368.44 la caisse du Programme
à à
Ressources Forestières
Mars 10 Mars 10
du CRRA, Niono par le
World Agroforestry
Centre
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 105
APPENDICES
+ Facilitation des
A partir de A partir de opérations de collectes
$ 14944.28
Données disponibles juillet 09 Juin 09 des paramètres retenus
par les techniciens IER
(Niono, Kogoni) et
Période ICRAF-Sahel, Bamako
exécution :
5ème Trimestre + A partir du fonds MCA,
Nombre de producteurs Mali
ayant visité les Avril-juin 10 Juin 2010
$ 10387.80
technologies + Mobilisation des
agroforestières techniciens IER (Niono)
et ceux de ICRAF-Sahel
+ Disponibilité de fonds
Fiche technique sur la MCA, Mali
gestion de banques Janvier à Depuis
$ 1802.08 - En cours d’édition et
alimentaires disponibles mars 10 février 10
pour les vulgarisateurs d’impression
+ Disponibilité de fonds
Avril à MCA, Mali
Fiche technique sur la
$ 2174.85 Mai 2010
gestion des plantations
juin 10 - En cours d’impression
disponible
+ Disponibilité de fonds
Avril à MCA, Mali
Fiche technique sur le $ 1802.08 Mars 2010
greffage de fruitiers juin 10 - En cours d’impression
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 106
APPENDICES
+ Disponibilité de fonds
Fiche technique sur les Avril à MCA, Mali
plantations et $ 3966.63 Mai 2010
enrichissements juin 10 - En cours d’impression
disponible
+ Disponibilité de fonds
MCA, Mali
Rapports techniques
Janvier à - retard dans la
de S&E $ 1213.57 Mai 2010
Mars 10 finalisation due à
l’indisponibilité du
consultant
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 107
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Papayers 25 4.16
- Techniques production de
plants en pépinière
Mairie de
- Techniques de plantation Diabaly
21- 22 juin et Gestion des plantations 01 24 10
agroforestières
- Techniques d’Installation
et de Gestion de Banque
Alimentaire Parcelle
expérimentale
25 juin - Initiation aux Techniques de Dogofry 14 48 25
de Greffage de Fruitiers
locaux et Agrumes
USFS Reforestation Technical Assistance focusing on the Ségou Region, SEPTEMBER 2010 - page 108
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Alimentaire de fruitiers et
banque
26 juin - Initiation aux Techniques alimentaire de 02 20 10
de Greffage de Fruitiers Sika, Diabaly
locaux et Agrumes
ICRAF-07 08
ICRAF-08 08
Jujubier ICRAF-09 08
Kaïthely 08
Seb 08
Umran 08
Thaïlandais Sucré 08
Tableau 6 : Liste non exhaustive de distribution de matériel végétal et sachets aux volontaires des
communes de Diabaly et Dogofry
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ANNEXES
1. Données d’évaluation de la survie des Espèces des Tests Participatifs à Sika
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Lawsonia inermis 0
Commiphora africana 0
Haie Vive 2 Jatropha curcas 15
Euphorbia balsamifera 17.5
Lawsonia inermis 0
Commiphora africana 0
3 Jatropha curcas 0
Euphorbia balsamifera 0
Lawsonia inermis 0
4 Commiphora africana 0
Jatropha curcas 5
Euphorbia balsamifera 0
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Statut
Noms et Prénoms Village fonction Age
1 Kardjigué Coulibaly Kourouma Koubé Exploitant 52
2 Salimata Bouaré Kourouma Koubé Exploitant 52
3 Kalifa Coulibaly Markala Coura Exploitant 53
4 Diaby Niangadou Markala Coura Exploitant
5 Bakary vieux Coulibaly Markala Coura Exploitant 41
6 Sékouba Sangaré Kaban Coura Exploitant 36
7 Mariam Sakiliba Kaban Coura Exploitant 47
8 Aissata Ballo Kaban Coura Exploitant 38
9 Salia Troaré Banamba K01 Exploitant 39
10 Boureima Tangara Banamba K01 Exploitant 47
11 Sékou Amadou Kobila Djeddah Exploitant 40
12 Lassine Traoré Bamako Coura Exploitant 60
13 Afo Traoré Dogofry ba Exploitant 33
14 Ba - Moussa Dembelé Bagadadji K16 Exploitant 38
15 Aminata Doukouré Bagadadji K16 Exploitant 29
16 Bourama Demelé Farabougou Coura Exploitant
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4. Liste des groupes de pépiniéristes formés dans le cadre de la promotion des Centres Ruraux de ressources
dans la zone MCA, Mali (Alatona)
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Drawing up the SDA involves a large amount of fieldwork and desk-analysis and, given the shortage of technical and
financial resources in the countries concerned, can only be undertaken with substantial, and relatively long-term, donor support.
The first step is to prepare a detailed inventory of the natural woodland resources in the catchment area. This is done using
Landsat or other satellite images, cross-checked by sample ground-truthing. The resource assessment is based upon clearly
defined areas of permanent forest and ca nnot take into account the wood resources on fallow lands, farmlands and other non-
forested areas although these can be an important source of wood, especially for local people.
The natural woodland areas are then broken down into different categories, depending on the standing stock identified in
the inventory. In Niger, three categories were used, in which the standing stock was estimated to be 11, 7 and 3 steres per
hectare. Sustainable annual yields of 1.0, 0.6, and 0.2 steres of firewood per hectare were respectively estimated for the three
categories and total sustainable catchment yields could then be calculated.
Surveys of the firewood trade, both truck transport and sample households, were carried out to obtain an estimate of
total consumption in the urban areas being considered. The figures obtained were projected forward, basically in line with
population growth, to obtain estimates of future demand. These showed major firewood supply-demand “deficits” in which the
consumption greatly exceeded the sustainable yields in the catchment areas.
The firewood catchment area was then disaggregated, using the canton or arrondissement as the basis. In Niger,
the available information on each canton from which fuelwood was being supplied to Niamey was synthesized and presented in
the form of a "decision grid." This presented, for each canton, the total annual production of the natural woodlands, the balance
available for export to Niamey, using the assumptions that either 50 percent or 100 percent of the needs of rural people were
met from their local woodland resources, and the actual amounts of fuelwood being exported to Niamey. Other data, drawn
from the agro-socio-economic analysis, and included in the synthesis of information for each canton, were the population
density, the dominant land -use type, and the degree of social cohesion existing in the area.
From this "decision grid" it was possible to identify areas where the establishment of rural markets was likely to
be a realistic option. It would not make sense, for example, to set up a rural fuelwood market in an area where there
were insufficient wood resources to provide a sufficiently high level of sustainable supply to justify the effort and
expense involved. Similarly, it would be pointless to try to establish a market in an area without the social cohesion necessary
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for its effective functioning. Areas of abundant resources where the social and other conditions were fulfillled, on the other
hand, would be natural priorities for the establishment of markets.
The decision grid also highlighted the areas where the supply-demand deficit was highest and fuelwood harvesting
needed to be discouraged and measures taken to increase the productivity of the remaining woodlands. The creation of the SDA
thus provided a basis for identifying areas for priority action in setting up rural markets and drawing up local forest
management plans.
The quota for each market was calculated using the estimated sustainable yield per hectare for the area shown in
the overall SDA. This was then translated into an allowable annual firewood offtake for the market. In Mali, and more recently
in Niger, simple forest inventories are done by a team of foresters to help calculate the quota. The final figure, which forms part
of the market agreement, is, in principle, determined in consultation with the village, taking local circumstances into account.
Problems with the SDA approach
Drawing up the SDA is highly resource intensive. Moreover, it only provides a snapshot at a particular time and, if it is
to form a long term basis for planning firewood supplies, needs to be updated as circumstances change. In particular,
harvesting quotas need to be changed to reflect changes in the SDA, as well as those occurring at a local market level. Given the
availability of financial and technical resources in the countries concerned, it is clear that the SDA is neither practical for
countries on their own nor sustainable beyond the end of donor funding.
In Niger, the SDAs drawn up in the early 1990s have not been updated and they have not been used in the
establishment of new markets since 1996. The projects presently operating in Niger do not intend to update the SDAs prepared
during the first phase. The planned large number of new markets will be established without the use of SDAs.
There is also considerable doubt over the models and scenarios used in drawing up the SDAs. The projections of
overall fuelwood consumption and the emergence of energy “gaps” have in general proved themselves wrong and a high
degree of scepticism in this area seems to be justified. (Footnote 12: Hindsight suggests that the level of consumption in the
rural areas was greatly over-estimated in the analysis. The issue is discussed in detail in Sustainable Woodfuel Supplies from
the Dry Tropical Woodlands (G. Foley) as World Bank, ESMAP, Technical Paper 013, June 2001).
The levels of disaggregation used in SDAs are also questionable. In Mali, where the SDA generates data at the level of
the arrondissement, project staff recognize that this may not be the appropriate scale of planning given that the markets function
at a village level. The establishment of the communes in 1999 makes planning at the arrondissement level even less relevant.
Some of the project staff feel that new SDAs, tailored to the communes, should be produced but this raises questions of
technical and financial resource availability.
Experience of the Swiss-assisted project near Sikasso in Mali suggests that the true criteria for the establishment
of viable markets are precisely the opposite of those used in the SDA. The project staff in Sikasso have found that it is
not the well-forested zones which are most suitable for market establishment but rather the well-populated zones with
good road infrastructure and sufficient labour, even if their firewood production potential is lower.
The Sikasso projects also illustrates the fact that in a landscape with advanced agricultural expansion, village forests are
patchy and cover modest areas. Yet the socioeconomic potential for commercial woodfuel production in such an area may be
good, since the road infrastructure is excellent and there is plenty of labour available during the dry season.
A major weakness of the SDA approach is that it cannot encompass the many different possibilities for commercial
firewood production in a variable mosaic of village forests. As agricultural expansion continues, such mosaics will probably
dominate at the expense of forest reserves. East African examples show that wood prod uction by rural people for urban markets
can offer substantial opportunities but needs a much greater flexibility in technical and economic decision making than that
presently defined by the SDA and the quota system in the market model.
In such cases, instead of a firewood-focused SDA, a more relevant exercise is likely to be a broad-based approach
such as that used in „gestion de terroir‟ projects. These projects take the village territory as the basic unit of planning, in
which forest resources obviously play a role. By adopting this more aggregated and broad-based approach, rather than
focusing purely on firewood production, it becomes possible to give issues such agricultural expansion, the growth of cash
crops and the provision of pastoral tracks the attention they require.
Questionable validity of quota system
The forest productivity estimates used in the SDA are used as the basis for the rural firewood market quotas. The
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estimates of productivity are determined in relation to the vegetation cover and the average rainfall over a particular area which,
in Mali, is the arrondissement. Such estimates can, however, be far from the reality at a village level of which there may be
dozens in a particular arrondissement.
Simple, rapidly executed forest inventories are presently standard practice in the preparation for setting up a
rural market in both Niger and Mali. They are completed in less than a week and undoubtedly contribute to the
understanding of the village forest by the project team. On the other hand, since the villagers do not understand this
type of inventory, the exercise is of little use in formulating management strategies which are acceptable at the local
level.
Moreover, the utility of woodland inventories as a basis for determining sustainable annual yields is questionable.
An inventory provides information about the vegetation cover, but this is not necessarily linked to productivity, as
studies of the contracted vegetation or “tiger bush” showed in Niger. Additionally, rainfall can be so variable over extended
time periods that fixed annual estimates may be quite unrealistic at any particular time. Quotas based on large-scale averaging,
in short, can be completely inappropriate at the individual village level. Neither are fixed annual harvesting quotas likely to
match the shifting priorities of the local economy as people respond as best they can to changes in rainfall, crop yields, labour
availability and other factors.
In setting up many of the markets in Niger, no serious attempt was made to calculate a quota based on productivity.
They were simply given an arbitrary quota of 1,500 steres per year, irrespective of the forest size or productivity. This figure is
supposed to be reviewed regularly but this was not done, though it is intended to happen in the present new phase of the project.
In the successful Kita project in Mali, the SDA-based quota system has never been used. Instead, informal judgements
are made, on an ad hoc basis, on the amounts that can safely be harvested in particular areas. There are, it is true,
concerns over ecological sustainability in Kita but the main reason for such concerns is the entirely different issue of the
expansion of groundnut and cotton production into areas of natural woodland. It appears that firewood marketing opportunities
do not stop local people from converting forest into agricultural land if they anticipate higher benefits from such alternatives.
Similarly, in the Kelka Forest project in Mali, no quota system was put in place. Instead, the project concentrated on
strengthening the local management structures, which included the establishment of a union of village market operators.
This proved effective in dealing with conflicts between villages and problems with outsiders. Ma ny of the firewood harvesting
rules were defined by individual communities and varied from forest to forest; the internal organization of the village
management structures varied also.
Both the Kita and the Kelka experience suggest that simplified and locally defined planning tools can be more
effective than quotas which, if they do not bear a close relation to locally-perceived reality, are unlikely to be treated seriously.
Villagers who consider themselves rightful owners of their forest know very well how their resource changes and how heavily it
can be exploited at any given time. They may, of course, over-exploit their forest resources but the imposition of externally-
determined harvesting quotas is unlikely to change such behaviour.
It is also true that, in the absence of regular high-quality ecological monitoring, the long term sustainability of firewood
markets operating without a harvesting quota cannot be established. This is an argument which carries considerable weight in
forestry circles where distrust of local people’s approach to firewood harvesting runs deep. But even if such fears are justified,
the imposition of inappropriate, rigid or unenforceable quotas provides no solution.
Long term ecological sustainability in the management of natural forests would be better supported by ensuring
that forest conditions are regularly reviewed, in the first place by local communities themselves, supported by local
government and by foresters. Any necessary corrections to the management rules can then be agreed at the local level.
Remote sensing and other information technologies are developing rapidly and becoming cheaper and could be used to
monitor and interpret local changes. In general, it would appear, however, that the usefulness of quotas is more likely to be
found in more sophisticated resource management for which the majority of markets have neither the technical nor financial
resources required.
An example from Mali
An illustration of how the complexity of events at the village level can completely undermine elaborate management
and quota arrangements comes from Kankani in Mali. The local rural firewood market, which was of the oriented type, had
been dealing exclusively in dead wood left over from earlier droughts. When such stocks are exhausted, the normal procedure is
that the market becomes controlled. This is called “the transition” and should be initiated by villagers who realize that there is
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