Mali is one of the great hopes for Black Africa, although it is one of the poorest countries in the world. Two thirds of the country's territory is located in the Sahel or the Sahara. Farming depends on annual precipitation and environmental conditions, which vary from year to year.

The poverty in Mali above all affects the rural population, primarily the women. The production of basic foodstuffs is particularly problematic in the desert region of Northern Mali. The difficult climatic conditions and the limited natural resources make it impossible to grow sufficient cereals. Furthermore, because of the region's poor infrastructure and poverty the population has only restricted access to the limited foodstuffs that are available.

German Agro Action has been supporting the rural population of Mali for a long time now through various projects. One of these projects is "Integrated Development in Rural Areas of Northern Mali", which was called into life in 2006. It aims to help people improve the basis of their food supply and hence their living conditions. The population is supported by providing wells and small barrage dams, and by measures to protect against erosion and the creation and irrigation of vegetable gardens. Advice is provided for women's groups, showing them how to provide better nutrition for their families and generate more income by growing and selling vegetables. In cooperation with the communal health centres German Agro Action organises information events on sensitive health issues, such as child nutrition and hygiene. In addition food rations are provided for nomads' children in the Timbuktu region, who go to school, and for their guest parents, who enable them to attend school during a whole school year.

Initial successes were already evident after only a short time: the village communities and women's groups were able to earn a greater profit and improve their nutrition, especially for young children.