Sustainable mango production in Mali

Sustainable mango production in Mali

As part of its efforts to increase the competitiveness through the adoption of sustainable practices by Malian companies, COLEAD organised two intensive training sessions on GlobalGAP Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) version 6 in Bamako, Mali, as part of the Fit For Market Plus programme. These training sessions, organised in response to growing demand from local companies exporting mangoes to the European Union, aimed to bring food safety and sustainable management practices in line with the latest international standards.

The introduction of GlobalGAP Integrated Farm Assurance (IFA) version 6 brings significant advances and changes aimed at improving food safety, environmental sustainability and the overall well-being of workers. Specifically, IFA version 6 introduces new sustainability criteria focusing on plastic use, water and waste management, carbon neutrality and deforestation. These criteria reflect a commitment to environmental responsibility and ethical practices. Another significant addition is the requirement for producers to implement a continuous improvement plan. This plan should outline the farm’s objectives and targets for reducing chemical use and improving worker health, among other sustainability goals.

The first training session took place in January 2024 and was specifically designed for companies that were not yet GLOBAL G.A.P. certified. It brought together 11 companies and focused on the ‘modalities and checklists’ of version 6 of the standard. Topics covered included GLOBAL G.A.P. Certification Options I and II, the implementation of an Internal Control System (ICS) and a Quality Management System (QMS) for Option II, and the implications in terms of equipment, processes, budget and human resources for individual and QMS audits.

The second session, held in February, was aimed at companies already certified to version 5.2 of the GLOBAL G.A.P. standard and wishing to update their quality management system to version 6. This session brought together 7 companies and focused on the specific requirements of version 6, the impact of these new requirements on the existing QMS and the adaptations required to respond to these changes.

These training sessions provided participants with the essential tools to successfully implement the GLOBAL G.A.P. version 6 standard within their companies. They also identified the adaptations required to comply with the standards of this latest version, ensuring that participating companies are better able to meet the requirements of their respective markets.

Thanks to this training and the introduction of COLEAD’s sustainability self-assessment system among companies, Mali is taking an important step towards improving the quality, sustainability and competitiveness of its mango exports and strengthening its position on the international market.

This activity is supported by the Fit For Market Plus (FFM+) programme, implemented by COLEAD within the Framework of Development Cooperation between the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union. This publication receives financial support from the European Union and the OACPS. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of COLEAD and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union or the OACPS.