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Abstract
A linear programming model for a typical dryland farm in the 1000mm rainfall zone of Mali, West Africa indicates that, despite substantial variability in yields due to weather, a "safety-first" condition on staple food production constrains profit maximization only in the case of much smaller than average farms. Tied-ridge cultivation methods will reduce erosion damage, improve food security for small farms, and increase incomes if expected costs and yields are realized. Even without an immediate yield gain, tied-ridge cultivation would be economically justified by the reduction provided in future erosion-caused losses in soil productivity. The paper begins by summarizing the physical characteristics of dryland agriculture in Mali. Next, a brief description of emerging soil- and moisture-conserving technology is provided. Lastly, a whole-farm planning model is presented and initial results of a case study involving the economics of improved resource management are given.