Vulnerability evaluation of millet and sorghum cropping system to climate change and adoption of new technologies in Mali

This study analyzes the vulnerability of agricultural cropping systems based on millet and sorghum and the adoption of new technologies in Sahelian and Sudano - Sahelian areas in Mali (West Africa). Semi-structured interviews (ISS) using questionnaires addressed to the chiefs of family farm (FAE) were used for the collection of data. The descriptive statistics and matrices were realized for the data analysis using the following softwares: EXCEL and SPSS20.The results of the surveys conducted in 2014 among 360 farms in Sahelian and Sudano-Sahelian areas, shows that agricultural producers are aware of the main factors affecting the productivity of their cropping system and food security of agricultural holdings. Rainfall variability, characterized by failure and irregularity of rains is the main constraint of cropping systems based on millet and sorghum as stated by 97% of surveyed producers, followed by soil poverty 81%, and the lack of agricultural equipment 47%. The impacts of these factors at the farms level are translated by a decrease in the crops yields and on the frequency of the shortages in foodstuffs which are observed by 98% of the farms every year and more than 50% every 3 years. To reduce vulnerabilities, practices and innovations were adopted by farms as strategies. The main concern fertilizer micro dosing technics, seed soaking, improved varieties, organic and mineral fertilization, soils and water management technics, mechanical sowing, and agro forestry were adopted as strategies.