ILO phone advice service reaches 380,000 Mali producers
ILO's An Ka Baara project in Mali offers free phone-based farm advice; over 380,000 people have used the service, with 3 million listens.
The story in focus
The International Labour Organization says its An Ka Baara project in Mali provides free agricultural advice by telephone, with more than 380,000 users and over 3 million listens. Project monitoring estimates more than 28,000 users raised incomes by at least 25 per cent.
- The ILO project covers Mali's mango and horticulture sectors, which the agency says hold potential for jobs and income, especially for young people and women.
- The service offers nearly 200 free audio messages on farming practices.
- An Ka Baara is implemented by the ILO with support from Italian Cooperation.
What the service offers
In Mali, the mango and horticulture sectors hold significant potential to create jobs and improve incomes, particularly for young people and women, according to the International Labour Organization. Many producers still struggle to obtain quality inputs, knowledge, services and markets.
An Ka Baara, which the ILO translates as 'our work', is implemented by the agency with support from Italian Cooperation. Its phone-based agricultural advisory service gives farmers free access to nearly 200 audio messages aimed at improving practices and helping them manage their activities.
Reach and reported income effects
The ILO says more than 380,000 people have used the service, generating more than 3 million listens.
Project monitoring data also estimate that more than 28,000 users have increased their incomes by at least 25 per cent. The figures are described as monitoring estimates rather than results of an independent evaluation.
Beyond direct support
The project works with businesses, producers and other local actors to improve available services and strengthen economic activity. Producers featured in an ILO video describe how better seeds, practical advice and new services have changed their work and production.
By bringing together local actors and the private sector, the ILO says An Ka Baara is working to develop commercially viable solutions intended to keep creating opportunities for young people, women and communities after its direct support ends.
How many people have used the ILO's phone-based farm advisory service in Mali?
The ILO says more than 380,000 people have used the service, generating more than 3 million listens. Project monitoring estimates that more than 28,000 users raised their incomes by at least 25 per cent.
Sources & further reading
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