Mali
Joint collection trip on the river Niger in Mali, 2003
The MSB project has been in operation in Mali since February 2003. The programme is hosted by the Centre Régional de Recherche Agronomique (CRRA) Sikasso, southern Mali, in the forest region. This partnership allowed funding and the establishment of the Unité de Semences Forestières (USF) et Herbier within the Programme Ressources Forestières of IER, the parental organisation of CRRA. The USF is the very first seed facility in the country, and as such, it helps alleviate the ever-increasing constraints of accessing quality seeds of wild species in Mali. Next to ex situ conservation of seeds the project develops research activities related to seed handling and storage longevity of West African wild species that are used daily by the communities.
Raphia sudanica, a threatened species in Sikasso region, Mali
The MSB project has built on the existing strong partnership between West African countries, in particular between partner institutes in Burkina Faso and Mali. Collecting activities are thus conducted jointly with the colleagues at CNSF in Burkina Faso. A large proportion of species with known uses for human welfare, such as building materials, traditional medicine, bee plants and sources of fodder and food, are collected and conserved. Examples are Anthocleista djalonensis and Securidaca longepedunculata, both threatened in Mali because of uncontrolled harvesting for use in local medicine.
Banking seeds in USF, Sikasso, Mali
RBG Kew staff have advised CRRA on the establishment of seed testing and storage facilities in Sikasso, and have provided in-country training on the preparation of herbarium vouchers and seed bank curation procedures. This has made the USF fully operational. In addition the project is supporting the training of CRRA staff for higher degrees.
