Hello from Sikasso, Mali!
As it turns out, we are staying at the favorite hotel for NGOs and business people in this southern city. Since everyone here greets you with "Bonjour, ca va?" whether you know them or not, the lobby has been a great place to meet and chat with people. We've met people from the US Peace Corps, SOS Sahel, other Save the Children people, and other consultants.
One fellow I met today, an economics prof, was just back from a conference on Rice in Bamako, en route to his native Benin but will work here for a few weeks, meeting with researchers and other stakeholders in agriculture. It was so interesting to hear him speak of the initiatives for the group of West African countries. They want to increase production of rice in Mali and other West African countries so they will not be dependent on imports. Mali is capable, according to him, of producing all the rice it needs. However, they need to improve the varieties of rice so they get greater yields in a shorter period of time and at the same time, produce a variety of rice that can withstand the conditions in Mali. He said there is less rain now, in Mali and area. It was fascinating to listen to him explain the economics of rice, from the development of new varieties, to the certification process, getting the miller to buy in to the newer, higher quality rice, to the credit systems which allow farmers to afford to buy the new and more expensive seeds, to getting everyone in the chain to understand how this is beneficial. Best economics lesson I ever had.
Another chat was with a young fellow who works with the cell phone company Orange. He asked where I was from. The United States? I said, "No from Canada". He, in all seriousness, said "Well, they're the same, right? People say that you are a colony of the US". He got a quick crash course on Canadian domestic and foreign policy!:) I was nice, promise!
The hotel staff are sweet and super friendly. Everyday, it's "Bonjour, ca va?' without fail. The pictures show the front of the hotel and some "visitors" to the pool/patio area. Cute, eh?
Take care, everyone.
I wish I could have such a relevant, inspired economics lesson! Sounds amazing mama!
ReplyDeleteIt was memorable. It was good teaching beacause I still remember, a week and half later. Mom
ReplyDeleteNot being dependent on imports for rice; a brilliant way to become self-reliant. It is great to hear firsthand how a group of countries are putting their heads together to improve their economies. I wish the economics professor well.
ReplyDeleteKathryn