Soil Values Trained 22 Young People on Agricultural Entrepreneurshipand Market Development in Mali

From April 8 to 11, 2026, the Soil Values program, funded by the Dutch Directorate-General for International Cooperation (DGIS), organized a training session in Sikasso, Mali. The training focused on entrepreneurship, market development, grafting techniques, organic fertilizer production, and seedling cultivation. It was aimed at young people from the program’s three target regions in Mali: San, Ségou, and Sikasso. As part of a capacity-building initiative, it complements the equipment already provided, with the goal of optimizing its use and impact. This activity was implemented in collaboration with the program’s partners, notably the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and the Agri-Food Program for Integrated Resilience and Economic Development in the Sahel (PRO-ARIDES), as well as with the technical services of the Ministries of Agriculture. The training was entirely hands-on and enabled participants to become familiar with tools such as the Business Model Canvas and business management using the GERME approach, through practical exercises focused in particular on distribution, customer relations, and the calculation of production costs. Participants were also trained in the use of the shredder, seedling production, the preparation and turning of bokashi, grafting techniques, and the production of compost using local materials and biochar. They received advice and support from various stakeholders to facilitate the application of the knowledge they acquired. A certificate was awarded to them upon completion of the training. #SoilValuesProgram #SoilHealth #SoilFertility #YouthEntrepreneurshipMali #Sahel #AgriculturalDevelopment #NetherlandsPrograms