Agriculture and Rural Financing in Mali (FARM)

Results achieved at the end of the project (June 2021) include: (1) strengthened capacities of 4 microfinance institutions and 2 banks in agricultural financing and risk analysis; (2) granted financing of 5.1 billion CFA francs ($11.8 million) to targeted sectors through 26 762 agricultural loans (including 51.68% of these loans granted to women); (3) improved coordination of the value chain including identification of stakeholders and strengthened coordination mechanisms; (4) implemented 6 partnership agreements in the parboiled rice value chain and 20 commercial agreements implemented in the onion value chain in Baguinéda; (5) improved access for agricultural producers and financial institutions to financial protection mechanisms through a new operational loan guarantee program dedicated to agricultural financing and 3 new operational crop insurance programs; (6) improved integration of young people into agricultural activity through 5 initiatives implemented to support young people in drawing up business plans and obtaining credit from financial institutions; (7) improved integration of women into agricultural activity and increased promotion of gender equity through 11 new women's initiatives; (8) increased capacity of women in targeted sectors to receive credit and crop insurance and increased access of women to training on topics such as financial services business plans leadership and public speaking; (9) promoted and integrated sustainable development practices through 10 new environmental initiatives; (10) sensitized borrowers to the environmental impact of agricultural practices through training programs on climate change; and (11) strengthened capacities of 4 microfinance institutions and 2 banks in environmental protection.