July 08, 2024

"Healthy Eating Day": Towards sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition in Mali

Fresh Produce

Mali

The Informal Alliance for Systemic Change in the Vegetable Sector (IAC), created in Mali on 25 November 2021 by stakeholders (including SCS International, Sanzara, Macha.sarl, Latyland Organic Farmer, producers, input suppliers, transporters, processors and support structures) in the vegetable value chain, has launched the first communication and information campaign around the 'Mali Healthy Vegetables Label'. Organised in collaboration with the 2SCALE programme on 8 June 2024 in the grounds of the National Museum in Bamako, "Healthy Eating Day" brought together a host of people, including experts, professionals and enthusiasts of sustainable agriculture, in a programme packed with debates and activities designed to raise awareness of the issues surrounding food health and the environment.

Incentive speeches to mark the opening of the ceremony

At the start of the ceremony, Mrs Marlène Amegankpoe, IAC coordinator and Business Champion for the vegetable partnership under her company SCS Internationale, opened the day with words of welcome, underlining the importance of the event:

Healthy Food Day is an exceptional opportunity to bring together all the players in the vegetable value chain around a common goal: to promote healthy and sustainable food. As coordinator of the Informal Alliance for Change (IAC), I am proud to see everyone's commitment and determination to improve the quality of our agricultural production and to raise public awareness of environmental and health issues. This day is a decisive step in our mission to guarantee healthy vegetables for all Malians, and I am convinced that our collaboration will continue to bear fruit for a healthier and more sustainable future.

Then, Alahidi Barry, Country Team Leader of 2SCALE in Mali, recalled the ambitious objectives of the public-private partnership between SCS Internationale and the 2SCALE programme, launched in 2018 :

Since the launch of the Public-Private Partnership between SCS Internationale and 2SCALE, we have worked with unwavering determination to ensure a regular supply of fresh, healthy vegetables to Bamako's urban market.

He also mentioned some of the issues encountered in planning the event, namely the time, energy and funds allocated to supervising and controlling production, the lack of standardisation of quality criteria on the market, and the high quality of the products which is not reflected in the value for money...

The speech phase ended with that of Mr Oumar Tamboura, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture, who was representing the Minister of Agriculture.

It is with great pride and a deep sense of commitment that I take the floor today when the Healthy Eating Day, a crucial event for the promotion of the Mali Healthy Vegetables Label. On behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, I am delighted to support this initiative, which embodies our determination to improve the quality of our food and protect our precious environment,

noted Mr Oumar Tamboura.

He recalled the significant progress made since the creation of the AIC in 2021 and the validation of the specifications of Mali Healthy Vegetables Label :

Thanks to the dynamic partnership between SCS International, the 2SCALE programme and a host of players in the value chain, we have drawn up and validated the specifications of the Mali Healthy Vegetables Label. This document guarantees the production of healthy, high-quality vegetables that meet the nutritional and health needs of our fellow citizens.

Highlights of a day rich in healthy and nutritious products

The day included the screening of a film entitled "The Journey of Freshness", a video detailing the initiative to guarantee the quality of vegetables produced in Mali under the Mali Healthy Vegetables Label. The video covered key aspects including: the goal of eradicating hunger and malnutrition (United Nations ODD2); the regulatory framework and quality standards; training and capacity-building for producers; quality control and certification; connecting labelled producers with buyers; and the impact of the initiative on the people of Mali.

Ms Sanogo Niamoye Traoré, Inclusive Agribusiness Advisor, and Ms Koné Kadiatou Traoré, Quality Assurance Consultant, gave presentations on the overall results of the IAC and the pilot phase of the vegetable partnership.

Since the launch of our partnership between SCS International and the IAC, we have made remarkable progress in standardising and promoting healthy vegetables. This Healthy Eating Day is the culmination of our collective efforts to raise public awareness and encourage more environmentally friendly farming practices. I would like to thank all our partners for their unwavering support and commitment to sustainable agriculture. Together, we can overcome the challenges we face and build a future where every consumer can have confidence in the quality of the products they buy,

said Ms Sanogo Niamoye Traoré.

Ms Koné Kadiatou Traoré then went on to explain the Certification and Quality Control process:

The certification process begins with rigorous training for producers in sustainable farming practices. We carry out regular inspections of farms to ensure compliance with standards. Each batch of vegetables is tested for pesticide residues before being awarded the label. This system ensures that consumers receive high-quality, nutritious products that are safe to eat. Our aim is to create a transparent and reliable value chain, from field to plate.

To round off this first phase of the day, a visit to the exhibition stands was organised and coordinated by IAC and the 2SCALE programme, enabling participants to interact with the products and witness the results of the initiatives presented.

A day turned into a fair for all fans of organic products

This event was marked by its series of two panels, each dealing with the impacts of chemical phytosanitary products, integrated agricultural techniques, the benefits of consuming healthy vegetables and the harmful effects of pesticides on human health.

According to agroecology expert Moustapha Sissoko:

Agroecology is the engine of sustainable agriculture and it must be said that eating healthy vegetables promotes health and helps heal fractures. A pregnant woman who eats healthy vegetables has a better chance of giving birth,

adds food technology expert Mallé Seydou.

The end of something is worth its start, a market has allowed producers and consumers to exchange healthy vegetables and alternatives to pesticides offered by input suppliers.

As President of the Consumers Association of Mali, I am particularly pleased to participate in this Healthy Eating Day. Our association works to defend the rights of consumers and ensure that they have access to safe and healthy products. Today’s discussions and exchanges have highlighted the importance of eating responsibly grown vegetables without excess chemicals. I am convinced that these initiatives are essential to protecting the health of our fellow citizens and preserving our environment. I congratulate all those involved and encourage everyone to continue this path towards a healthier and more prosperous Mali,

said Salif Berthé, President of the Consumers' Association of Mali Healthy Eating Day was a resounding success, hailed by all participants. Discussions highlighted the importance of promoting sustainable agriculture and healthy eating. Participants called on the authorities to support producers by providing them with a dedicated market to encourage sustainable farming practices.

This day marks an important milestone in the promotion of sustainable agriculture and healthy nutrition in Mali, paving the way for future initiatives for a healthier and more prosperous Mali.

Highlights of next steps

Following the official launch of the label "Healthy Vegetables of Mali", the products are marketed through traditional sales channels (wholesalers, semi-wholesalers and retailers) according to the types of market (large, medium and small).

The team has also developed a partnership with a website for online sales of fresh products (WONIDA). This partnership also allows the distribution of the label "Healthy Vegetables of Mali" via the online channel.

These activities are led by the Business Champion and Coordinator of the Informal Alliance for Change, SCS International. The 2SCALE program provides technical assistance to guide and adjust the product distribution strategy.

Finally, in the coming months, there are strong perspectives that new stakeholders will be able to join the IAC. Most participants, consumers are well informed about the dangers of consuming vegetables of poor quality. The future looks rather promising for labelled products, because consumers are becoming increasingly demanding on the quality of products available on the market.

Besides the commitment of the national director of agriculture to make the phytosanitary service of his department available to the IAC and the 2SCALE program to follow the labelling process, a memorandum of understanding is also provided between the Department of Agriculture and the 2SCALE programme to ensure external verification sessions by its department.

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