Sourou Local Milk Development Project (PVLS)

Sourou is an ideal area for agriculture, livestock breeding and fishing, thanks to its hydrological, agro-ecological and biodiversity potential. Livestock farming plays a major role in the economy and in the communities' sources of income. Despite this enormous livestock potential, the Sourou area faces a serious problem in meeting its milk and dairy product needs for seven out of every 12 months of the year. This project is fully in line with the ECOWAS initiative to protect vulnerable groups in member countries, and with the objectives of the Government of Mali as set out in the Framework for Economic Recovery and Sustainable Development (CREDD).

This project, supported by C.I.C.S., essentially consists of transferring appropriate technology to communities, in particular improving local breeds through artificial insemination, creating/equipping milk unit centers, and training in milk value chains to improve availability and access for communities in all seasons. The project will also provide beneficiaries with stocks of livestock feed and put them in touch with the most organized regional and national umbrella organizations. Levers for action include: installation of dairy production farms, promotion of forage crops in production systems, insemination of local breeds to improve local milk production.