




A community-managed learning site in Mali is the first step to an integrated approach to watershed management supported by willing farmers and research organizations keen to optimize water usage by crops in semi-arid areas that have sufficient water capacity in theory but not yet in reality. Climate data suggests that up to 1,000 mm of annual rainfall at Kani village in the Koutiala region is good enough to support crops and livestock, but potential evapotranspiration is high, rainfall is erratic, erosion is widespread and there is little storage of water. Scientists and farmers are now testing fresh ideas.