Cultivation Practices of Mango (Mangifera indica) Varieties Kent and Keitt Planters and the Origins of Orchard Vulnerability to Rainfall Variability in the Koulikoro District

Abstract

Malian economy is largely based on agriculture, with mango being one of the country's main agricultural exports. The Koulikoro District is one of the main mango production areas in Mali. The sector is subject to numerous challenges, including vulnerability to rainfall variability. The objective of this study was to document the vulnerability of orchards, particularly those based on the Kent and Keitt varieties, in relation to cultivation practices. The approach used to document this issue was based on surveys and interviews with mango farmers of the Kent and Keitt varieties, to identify cultivation practices and the origins of the vulnerability of orchards to rainfall variability in the district. The results show that mango plantations are mainly managed by young, illiterate people, whose age range is 41-46 years. The orchards are small, with areas ranging from 0.25 ha to 3.00 ha, half of which are located on gravelly soils. Women are very poorly represented (6.52% of the sample) in this production activity. Mango seedlings are generally planted during the rainy season, with a high vegetative recovery rate at the start, but a very low survival rate in the months and years following the vegetative recovery. Water sources are traditional wells and streams (temporary and permanent). Manual watering is practiced by more than 80% of farmers. To conserve soil moisture, farmers mulch with or without basins under the mango trees. The lack of technical assistance and rainfall are the major constraints identified. Traditional water sources, primitive watering methods and poor moisture conservation techniques are factors that increase the vulnerability of orchards to rainfall variability.