The Siranikoto Production Post Harvest and Trade Center (PHTC), supported by SAA-Mali, has 41 groups of Community Savings for Investment in Agriculture (CSIA). Each group constitutes an average of 20 members and the groups saved 4,773,400 FCFA (USD7,343) in 2022.

Through a workshop organized by SAA-Mali, to link women farmers with Nyèsigiso Savings and Credit Union, members were able to get a low-interest short-term credit of around 500,0000 FCFA (USD769) to start income generation activities.

Minata COULIBALY, CSIA member in the Tonkaralaton said, “Before the establishment of our CSIA group, I had never got a credit more than 15,000 FCFA (USD23), but now with the set-up supported by SAA, I can now borrow 25,000FCFA (USD38), which allows me to improve my grocery store. Today my activity runs well.” 

Another beneficiary AWA DAMBA said, “Thanks to this CSIA initiative, we women who have had very limited access to get loans from MFI can now have a loan of 50,000FCFA (77 USD). I invested it in my horticulture farm where I grow sweet potato, onion, okra, and lettuce. I am very satisfied and able to repay all my credit and improve my life ”. 

Retrieved from SAA E-Newsletter, issued in January 2023 with Focus on Market-oriented Agriculture