GIZ supports the National Programme for Sustainable small-scale Irrigation in Mali through job creation in two value chains with high employment potential, fishery and horticulture, in the region of Kayes, particularly affected by emigration. 

The German Government initially financed the irrigation infrastructure by providing funding for the construction of micro-dams and the establishment of irrigation schemes. With the current project, GIZ, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), provides extensive support for the sustainable use of the arable land created.

In cooperation with the responsible ministries in Mali, the project develops appropriate legal frameworks and trains the staff of ministries and government authorities to implement and monitor them. In cooperation with training institutions, the project has developed curricula and teacher training courses to improve the level of training for service providers in the small-scale irrigation sector.