Expanding the adaptive capacity of cotton-producing smallholders to cope with (un)expected climate and market variability in southern Mali.

This research used a case study of the old cotton basin of Koutiala in southern Mali to understand and support the ability of smallholders and the farming system to cope with the above challenges to improve productivity and livelihoods. I used a longitudinal approach combining different data collection techniques i.e. focus group discussions, (semi)-structured interviews, observations, field/farm-level monitoring, and workshops.

First, I developed an adapted transaction cost framework and applied it to describe and explain farmers’ involvement in the production and commercialization of multiple crops...