The rising waters of the Niger River remain relevant in northern Mali. Although it causes flooding, people benefit from it, according to local sources.
This is the first time in several decades that water from the river has reached certain localities in the Bintagoungoun circle in the Timbuktu region, according to residents. Good news for farmers who are already preparing for seasonal crops.
“We have had testimonies from our elders, 50 years old or more, who have never experienced this flood. » It is in these terms that Bah Soumaré, communications secretary of the youth association for the development of the Bintagoungou circle, assesses the flooding of a large part of Lake Faguibine. According to him, this is great news and the populations around this lake are already mobilizing for market gardening and cultivation. “The population of Faguibine has been at the oven and the mill for decades for the implementation of Lake Faguibine. Alhamdoulilah, today, in a natural way, the Faguibine is watered at 60 to 70% », rejoices Mr. Soumaré who adds that the population is very happy, because, he says, “it announces the end of poverty and immigration”.
Resilience is essential
-Moussa Ouloguem is an agronomist technician specializing in market gardening. He affirms that to take advantage of this presence of water, adapted techniques and varieties are needed. “As currently, we are in the cool season, but in a short time, we will enter the hot season. Onion, tomato, potato, lettuce, eggplant »are foodstuffs cultivated in this period according to M.Ouloguem.
The localities around Lake Faguibine are launching an appeal to be supplied with seeds. Because for more than thirty years, certain villages have no longer cultivated, according to their inhabitants.
