In Mali, the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) is a financially autonomous public scientific, technical and cultural establishment (EPSTC). It is tasked with improving agricultural, pastoral and aquacultural production and productivity to ensure food security and sovereignty and preserve human health and biodiversity in Mali. It develops appropriate technologies for boosting production and improving the productivity of rural areas. It also helps train research and development staff and provide them with scientific and technical information.