Family Farming Knowledge Platform

Evidence on the multidimensional performance of agroecology in Mali using TAPE

In 2020, the Tool for Agroecology Performance Evaluation (TAPE) was used in Mali to assess the status of the agroecological transition of local farms and to identify its correlation with farms' quantitative performance across the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. This study aims to present the evidence on the multidimensional performance of agroecology produced through the implementation of TAPE in 233 farms in the region of Kayes, in Mali.

From an environmental point of view, the results obtained indicate that farms more advanced in the transition use less pesticides, have more healthy soils, are more agrobiodiverse, and include more natural vegetation and pollinators within their agroecosystems. In the social dimension of sustainability, the results showed that more advanced agroecological farms are characterised by a more empowered youth less prone to emigrate, and more family members directly employed on-farm in agricultural production. In terms of food security and nutrition, agroecological transition is positively correlated to food self-sufficiency and a more diversified and healthy diet.

The presentation of TAPE’s results from Mali is meant to inform all interested stakeholders on the performance of agroecology in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa, to support the transition of different types of agricultural systems towards more sustainable production, and to encourage the formulation of adequate programs and policies enabling different processes of transition that take into consideration agroecological practices and principles.

Title of publication: Agricultural Systems
Volume: 204
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Author: Dario Lucantoni , Mouhamed Rassoul Sy, Mamadou Goïta ,Maude Veyret-Picot, Marcello Vicovaro, Abram Bicksler, Anne Motteta
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Year: 2022
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Country/ies: Mali
Geographical coverage: Africa
Type: Article
Content language: English
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