The Agri-Hub Mali has stepped up to the plate. Despite the difficult political situation in 2012, the Agri-Hub has been able to co-organise the first edition of the Foire Agricole de Sikasso (Agricultural Fair of Sikasso). And this ‘FASKO’ has been a big success!

Over 100 exhibitors seized the opportunity to present their products and services to the producers that visited the Fair in the Sikasso stadium. The organising committee expected to have on average 1,000 visitors a day and, seeing the crowd, the FASKO has met this objective. The Fair had a national exposure; exhibitors and visitors from the region of Mopti and Tombouctou travelled two days to participate.

Parallel to the Fair, a series of thematic conferences was organised, covering the five themes of the Agri-Hub. The themes are: Access to finance, Access to inputs and equipment, Management of the family farm, Access to land and Access to markets. Experts discussed the latest developments in the agricultural sector of Mali and participated in developing innovative approaches. The conference hall was packed during the 2.5 days of expert meetings.

The organising committee consisted of the Conseil Regional de Sikasso, Chambres d’agriculture and Agri-Hub members ICCO, SNV, IFDC and AOPP. The Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, one of the main donors for the FASKO, has expressed the importance of such an event in the south of Mali. Several companies were most willing to make a financial contribution on the spot.

The FASKO also offered entertainment. Every evening, nationally famous artists and stand-up comedians took the stage to amuse the FASKO visitors and exhibitors. “A dream – of a regularly organised agribusiness fair in Sikasso – has come true!” was one of the phrases with which the country and regional officials thanked the organising committee for their efforts to organise the Fair.

This first FASKO asks for more. The plan is to have a Fair in Sikasso every other year. Therefore, we already invite all actors in the Sikasso region and beyond to join the Agri-Hub Mali for the FASKO 2014!

See http://apf-mali.ning.com for more about the FASKO 2012.