In order to eliminate poverty in the Sahel, agricultural development is one of the key factors. The percentage of the population suffering from malnutrition is estimated at 20%, 36%, 36%, and 44% for Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Ethiopia, respectively (FAO 2003). Cereal production per capita remains stable in the Sahel countries (Ndjeunga and Bantilan 2005) and the adaptation of new technologies is low.

The International Food Policy Research Institute has identified 5 key factors for agricultural development (Hazel 1999). These factors are designated as 5 ‘I’s:  Innovations, Inputs, Infrastructures, Institutions and Incentives (a favourable policy). 

It is difficult to promote agricultural development because all the ‘I’ factors must be in place; otherwise, the absence of one of these factors might hamper such development.

Innovations

Inputs

Infrastructures

Institutions

Incentives

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