Enhancing agricultural cooperatives' resilience to food insecurity through cash injection: a case of the Kita circle in Mali

This study assessed the impact of emergency cash injections within Project Kita III during the challenging agricultural period of 2021 in the Kita Circle. Targeting vulnerable households and agricultural cooperatives, this study investigated the multifaceted dimensions influenced by these injections, ranging from distribution processes to the overall resilience and community engagement of beneficiaries. To conduct this research, a sample of 157 beneficiaries were chosen, with a predominant representation of women at 75.80%. The study employed a dual-pronged approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative insights gleaned from 10 focus group discussions. The findings of this study unveiled a significant positive impact on mitigating the repercussions of the poor harvest experienced in 2021. Notably, the emergency cash injections played a pivotal role in attenuating reduced crop yields and addressing food insecurity prevalent among the beneficiaries. By extending the duration of available food stocks within households, these injections effectively reduced the dependence on harmful survival strategies that were previously employed due to scarcity. Moreover, cash injections contributed to the amplification of community engagement within agricultural cooperatives. This enhancement in participation indicated a positive shift in the involvement of beneficiaries in cooperative organizations, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment to agro-ecological practices. While the assistance was acknowledged as relevant and beneficial, concerns regarding its adequacy were prevalent among the beneficiaries. Many expressed a desire for larger amounts of cash assistance, implying a potential gap between the actual received aid and the perceived need, emphasizing the continued vulnerability and need for further support. The study underscores the critical necessity of addressing the root causes of agricultural underperformance to ensure sustainable, long-term food security within these communities. It emphasizes that while emergency cash injections proved instrumental in addressing immediate challenges, they must be complemented with strategies that tackle the underlying issues affecting agricultural productivity. Furthermore, the study highlights the potential for these injections to strengthen the sustainability of Project Kita III by bolstering cooperative organizations, promoting ecologically sound agricultural practices, and fostering enduring community engagement. However, it identifies a need to mobilize internal resources within these cooperatives to ensure sustained success beyond the scope of external aid. Key words: Agriculture Cooperatives, Food insecurity, Resilience, Cash injection, Kita