When rural women become the architects of their own success

In Mali’s rural regions, women farmers play a vital role in the development of their communities. They run their families, ensure food security, and drive local economic activity. Yet, their efforts often go unseen, and their full potential remains untapped.

Since April 2021, the Dou Touloma project has been working to strengthen the socio-economic empowerment and well-being of women farmers in the regions of Koulikoro, Ségou, Sikasso, Dioïla, and San. Through training, tools, and tangible opportunities, the project is helping women build confidence, gain economic independence, and make a lasting impact in their communities.

Dou Touloma is funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by the International Agricultural Alliance, a consortium of three Canadian organizations:

Today, the results are clear: these women have become inspiring leaders, transforming their own lives and those around them.

Korotimi TAMGARA: From farmer to community role model

In Dougoutiguibougou (Ségou region), Korotimi TAMGARA, a member of the Benkadi cooperative, cultivates cowpea, a legume native to West Africa. Before the Dou Touloma project was implemented, she harvested only three 50-kg bags from her 4-hectare of land. Thanks to training received through the Socodevi Field Schools and the use of biofertilizers, she increased her yield to 20 bags of 50 kg in the most recent season.

Korotimi’s impact goes far beyond agriculture. She invested in a smartphone to promote her products, purchased a solar panel so her children could study at night, contributed to buying a draft ox for her husband, and paid for her children’s schooling.

With courage and determination, she even revived a mill that had been abandoned for over ten years, mobilizing youth in the village and helping women save time processing grains. In a gesture of solidarity, she prioritizes women attending literacy classes, ensuring they can study without delay.

Today, Korotimi is a pillar of her community, a living example of resilience and women’s leadership.

Tata DOUCOURE: A pioneer in agricultural and digital innovation

Tata met un point d’honneur à transférer son savoir. Après avoir effectué sa formation en technologies numériques, elle a initié 11 femmes de sa coopérative à l’utilisation des téléphones intelligents et des réseaux sociaux, leur ouvrant ainsi de nouvelles perspectives pour mieux vendre leurs produits et élargir leurs horizons.

In Banamba (Koulikoro region), Tata DOUCOURE, a member of the Nièta cooperative in N’Tiélé, was selected as a lead farmer in Dou Touloma’s field school program and digital technology training.

She plays a central role there: thanks to her guidance, producers now have a firm grasp of the technical processes required for successful crop cultivation and the production of their own biofertilizers and biopesticides, and are adopting sustainable agricultural practices to combat the effects of climate change.

When fertilizer deliveries were delayed, Tata shared her knowledge with neighbouring villages, enabling farmers to produce their own biofertilizers.

Tata is committed to passing on her knowledge. After completing her training in digital technologies, she taught 11 women in her cooperative how to use smartphones and social media, opening new doors for marketing their products and expanding their networks.

Tata is a respected figure in her community, embodying the spirit of sharing and solidarity that defines the Dou Touloma project.

Empowering women transforms entire communities

These stories are not isolated. They reflect the heart of Dou Touloma’s mission: giving women farmers the tools to act and assert themselves, transforming the future of their families, villages, and ultimately, their country.

The project is a powerful reminder that investing in the empowerment and capacity building of rural women also means investing in food security, education, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

This article was written with the invaluable contribution of Habibatou Sacko, communications, marketing, and agricultural product sales advisor at Socodevi in Mali.