Examining the links between agriculture and child malnutrition in Mali

Although Mali has experienced modest growth in agriculture over the past decade, rates of preschool child malnutrition remain alarmingly high. This thesis examines the links between agricultural development and preschool child malnutrition in Mali. A review of recent agricultural trends in Mali concludes that extensification is occurring throughout much of the country, and intensification is occurring in the rice zone of the Segou region. The data also suggests that farm households in the Sikasso and Koulikoro regions are substituting some cotton production for the production of cereals.;This thesis examines four areas in which agriculture affects malnutrition: income; community infrastructure; staple food prices; and labor allocations. Overall, the findings of this study are inconclusive regarding the relationship between agricultural commercialization and child malnutrition. Parameter estimates obtained from econometric analysis of child weight-for-height and height-for- age are consistent with findings from previous studies but are not robust to model specification. However, the research indicates several mechanisms through which agriculture can affect malnutrition. The effects of agricultural development on income and infrastructure suggest certain policy implications that exploit these links and identify specific areas for future research.