Farming Systems in the Niger Inland Delta, Mali

Abstract

The Inland Delta of Mali has a concentration of diverse ethnic groups, a relatively dense population, and various farming systems that are adapted to local conditions. More than 20,000 square kilometers of the delta are flooded annually by the Niger River. Most cultivation depends on some type of irrigation. Pastoralism is also practiced. Recent droughts and increased human and livestock populations are factors in environmental degradation and disruption of traditional productive systems. T HE purpose of this article is to examine the traditional farming systems of the Inland Delta of the Niger River in Mali and to summarize controls instituted to protect agriculture from flooding. The Inland Delta of the Niger River is a broad plain of almost 50,000 square kilometers, extending from the Bani River on the south to Lake Faguibine on the north (Fig. 1). The name of this delta derives from the fact that the Niger River overflows and annually inundates more than 20,000 square kilometers. The region is characterized by a diversity of ethnic groups, a relatively dense population, and various productive systems that have adapted in different ways to the annual flooding. Located in a zone where yearly rainfall ranges between 200 and 600 millimeters, the area has marginal potential for rainfed cultivation. However, the annual flooding provides a resource for the development of water-managed farming systems and creates a node for dry-season grazing by livestock of pastoralists. HYDROLOGY OF THE DELTA The Inland Delta, located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers in Mali, comprises three physiographic regions (Fig. 2). To the south, the active delta, or delta vif, extends from the Bani River to lakes Debo and Korientze. The active delta is subject to annual flooding. Northward is the lacustrine zone, characterized by lakes, pools, and elongated dunes. The relatively higher local relief precludes complete inundation by the floodwaters, which flow along established channels to fill the pools and lakes. The inactive delta, or delta mort, has dunes, sandy plains, bush pasturelands, and areas of sparse vegetation and is located on the peripheries of the other * This article is a result of Mr. Thom's participation in the Mali Land Use Project, which was funded by USAID. He and Mr. Wells acknowledge the cooperation and suggestions of team members of that project, especially Charlotte Bingham, Seydou Bouare, Geoffrey King, and Joel Thomas. Paul Rainaldi, Utah State University, drafted the illustrations. * DR. THOM is a professor of geography at Utah State University, Logan, Utah 843220710. MR. WELLS, who received a M.S. in agricultural engineering from Cornell University in January 1987, is currently studying at the Institut de Mecanique de Grenoble, St. Martin d'Heres, France. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.223 on Wed, 24 Aug 2016 05:36:12 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms INLAND DELTA, MALI 329