

Sorghum is among the top three crops produced by Malian farmers, and it is these self-same farmers who underpin the country’s sorghum marketing system. A study by ICRISAT West and Central Africa shows that, on average, about 27% (8 to 36% of individual harvests) of sorghum produced is sold into spot markets, indicating that sorghum grain is only sold to buyers once farmers have determined the quantity necessary to cover their own household consumption. However, some farmers invariably find they are short of grain in the lean period and have to buy sorghum from local markets.