Embracing Rice-Fish farming in Mali

Abstract

Bernard Doumbia, a rice farmer in Mali’s Sikasso Region, successfully transitioned to an integrated rice-fish farming system, eliminating the need for expensive fertilizers and providing an additional revenue stream from fish. The integrated rice-fish farming system, championed by Bernard and supported by the Accelerating the Impact of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa project in Mali (AICCRA Mali), is recognized as a climate-resilient farming method enhancing farmers’ ability to adapt to climate challenges. AICCRA Mali’s annual workshop in October 2023 highlighted the potential of rice-fish systems across sub-Saharan Africa, with plans to expand these innovations in Phase 2.