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Trees for the Future: Mango Trees for Somo |
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| Project Director |
Patience Nyako, Peace Corps Volunteer |
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Project Number |
Total Cost (US$) |
Location |
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Somo, Mali (Dogon) |
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Project Description
Somo is a village that is located in the southwest region of Mali. Its inhabitants consist mostly of the Bobo ethnic group. The village's population size is approximately 2,200 people. Most inhabitants are subsistence farmers who cultivate crops such as millet, sorghum, rice, beans, peanuts, and corn. Sowing occurs from June to August and harvest from September to November.
The majority of women in Somo sell crops or hand-made items, such as peanuts and brooms, respectively, in five neighboring markets. Many of the women in Somo belong to different associations where they take part in income-generating activities, such as soap making; they save money collectively; and they give small loans to group members. Men also join associations where money is collected to fund income-generating activities, such as animal raising.
The population of Somo is sixty percent Muslim, thirty-eight percent Christian, and two percent animist. The village has a number of educational and financial institutions, which include a private and a public elementary school, a public junior high school, a community health center, three women's' gardens, two banks, and a grain bank. Unfortunately, the village has no market and most fresh produce must be bought in neighboring markets to serve families throughout the week. However, the gardens, though slow to start, should help increase access to fresh produce in the future.
Project Activities
Predominately, the trees that are grown throughout the village are neemplant more mango trees throughout the community. A number of community members have also expressed their interest in mango tree planting. The goal of the project is future income generation through successfully planted grafted mango trees.
One individual within the community has planted five trees at his home. These trees have been there for a range of 1 to 6 years. He has numerous methods for maintaining the trees and protecting their roots from termites. He is interested in teaching these techniques to others and would work with the student association during the duration of the project.
150 grafted mango trees were planted throughout the community. The student association members will help community members plant their trees. Also, with the help of the Peace Corps volunteer, they monitored the trees weekly for the first three months, bi-weekly for the following three months, and then monthly for the following year. Community member participants paid 40 percent of the cost of the trees planted at their household. The community member must also provide materials, such as wood or wire, to protect the tree from animals. The project funds provided trees to only some of the households in the community. The community has over 250 households. The 40 percent contribution received from those who plant trees will be placed in the bank and used to buy mango trees for additional Somo households.
When the trees begin to bear fruit, they will provide income to families within the community. The mangos will be sold throughout the community, in neighboring markets, and along the major road that intersects the village. Fruit transformation could also take place and products such as jam or juices could be sold. Also, since the village has no market and fewer access to fresh fruits and vegetables, having mangos available within the village would improve the diet of families throughout the community.
Project Budget | | |
Items |
Unit Cost |
Total Cost |
Nafasoro Pump |
150 X 750 |
112,500 CFA |
Plastic Tubing |
4 X 500 |
2,000 CFA |
Grafted Mango Trees (community contribution) |
150 X 400 |
60,000 CFA |
Total Project Cost |
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174,500 CFA |
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*$280.00 + 9.46 transfer fee |
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