Overview of Social and Environmental Issues
Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world – rated 168 out of 179 countries (2008 UNDP Human Development Index) - with almost half of the population living in poverty, particularly in the rural areas. Economic activity in this land-locked country is concentrated around the riverine areas irrigated by the Niger River and the Senegal. Farming and fishing make up 80% of the labor force. The economy is also heavily reliant on foreign aid and an unstable export economy dependent on fluctuating world prices for cotton and gold, its main export.

The major problem in Mali is increasing desertification. 60% of the land is desert and only 10% is covered in forests. The country continues to lose around 70,000 hectares per year. In addition, the lack of potable water and soil erosion and decreasing pastureland are serious environmental concerns. The Malian people and their agriculture activities are particularly vulnerable to drought. Mali’s wildlife, including the addax, cheetah and barbary sheep, and numerous birds, is threatened by the drought and the loss of habitat as well.

Our Response
In 2006, Trees for the Future launched a large reforestation program in Mali with the assistance of local representative, Mohamed Traore. For the past 4 years, Mohamed and his local NGO, Mali-Espoir, have been working with TREES to assist rural communities throughout Mali to plant much needed trees to improve soil fertility, provide food and develop income generating activities. Farmers are planting trees as live fences and windbreaks to protect their fields. They are planting baobabs, cashews and Acacia senegal for food and constuction products to be sold in the market. Other species, such as Gmelina and Leucaena are being planted for animal forage. TREES is also working with farmers to plant alternative trees to Eucalyptus, since, while these trees have many economic benefits, they also have significant negative impacts on the environment, especially in dry Sahel regions.

Program Update
February 2011
With Mohamed leading the program in Mali, farmers from five different regions planted over 135,000 trees. Many farmers planted thorny species and Jatropha as live fences around their farms and gardens to keep animals out. They are also establishing windbreaks to protect their fields against erosion. The leaves of the Gliricidia trees are very desirable for animal fodder. In addition, farmers continue to plant a lot of Baobab trees. The leaves fetch a hefty return in the local market as women love to cook with them. Farmers are initially planting them in small plots for intensive leaf production and then eventually planting the older trees in the fields. When mature, Baobab trees make excellent timber. In a different project, in Sanankoroba, l’association Benkadi de Sanakoroba is planting a number of tree species such as Gliricidia and Flamboyant in order to improve the health and beauty of their town.