MEDIA RELEASE
Australia Provides USD 67,000 to Combat Soil Erosion in Mali
16 May, 2011, Bamako - Australia has provided USD67, 000 to combat soil erosion,
and improve farming techniques in the Coulibaly and Binko districts of Mali.
The Australian Government, in partnership with Malian organization the Association
de Formation et d’Appui au Developpement (AFAD), is providing the funds over a
period of twelve months, to assist in soil regeneration and provide training in
horticultural and farming techniques, including provision of seedlings and equipment
to farmers. Deforestation, over-grazing by animals and bushfires has resulted in large
areas of land becoming unusable for agriculture.
This project will address this problem, improving the food security over 16,000
people living in 96 hamlets in the districts of Coulibaly and Binko.
Australian Ambassador to Mali, HE William (Billy) Williams (resident in Ghana)
travelled to Bamako to meet with Mr Ahmed Sekou Diallo, Executive Director of the
Association, and to formally launch the project.
“It’s a pleasure to be in Mali to launch this project today,” said Mr Williams.
“Australia, like Mali, has a very dry climate and faces many of the same challenges in
its agriculture sector, including low rainfall, drought and soil erosion. I am pleased
that Australia is partnering with organizations like AFAD, sharing expertise and
working together to improve the lives of ordinary people in Mali.”
Australia has committed to increase its engagement with Africa, increasing its
development assistance to the continent to AUD291.3 million in 2011-12.
Regionally, Australia is providing AUD16 million over four years to the West African
Council on Agricultural Research and Development to improve crop and livestock
productivity.
Eight priority countries, including Mali, will benefit from this research. Short course
and postgraduate scholarships, and a flexible technical assistance mechanism have
also been established to respond to requests from Mali for assistance in priority areas,
such as health, agriculture and the extractive resources industry.
Media enquiries:
For further information, please contact Dr. Kate O’Shaughnessy, Second Secretary at
the Australian High Commission, on cell phone 00233 244 312 832 or by email at
kate.oshaughnessy@dfat.gov.au
2, Second Rangoon Close (cnr Josef B. Tito Ave) | Cantonments | Accra
Postal address: Private Mail Bag 60 | KIA-Accra | Ghana
Telephone: +233 302 216 400 | Fax: +233 302 216 410
E-mail: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au | Website: www.ghana.embassy.gov.au