The Role of Information and Communication Sharing Pathway in Improving Peri-Urban Dairy System of Bamako, Mali

Abstract

Information Communication Technology (ICT) has been used as one of the intervention strategies in the reduction of post-harvest losses along the agricultural value chains in the developing countries. ICT has been used in Malian agriculture in general as an intervention strategy, but not specifically in the dairy sector. In recent years there has been an improvement in the dairy sector due to the peri-urban dairy farming, which has resulted into intensification of the milk production because of improved breeds and the easy access to feed. Despite the increase in the volume of milk production in Mali that has been estimated to be about 2 billion liters per year, only 45% of this production is being utilized. The aim of this study was to determine the role of ICT in reducing these losses in peri-urban of Bamako. Data was obtained through semi-structured questionnaires and interviews. Multiple-stage sampling procedure was used to select the respondents (n=171). The most common information sharing pathway used by the peri-urban sub-value chain actors was the mobile phone with 93% at the farm level, 89% at the transportation level and 71% at the cooperative level. The most sought type of information by peri-urban dairy farmers at the cooperatives was on feeds at 42%, animal health at 14% and cooperative issues at 13%. Information sharing through mobile phone was the most type of communication pathway used and therefore can be used an ICT intervention that can contribute towards reducing milk post-harvest losses along the value chain.