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With research staff from more than 70 countries, and offices across the globe, IFPRI provides research-based policy solutions to sustainably reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition in developing countries.

researcher spotlight

David Spielman

David Spielman is the director of IFPRI’s Innovation Policy and Scaling Unit and has been with the institute since 2004. His research agenda covers a range of topics including agriculture and rural development policy; agricultural science, technology, and innovation; plant genetic resources and seed systems; agricultural extension and advisory services; and community-driven rural development.

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Mali

countries and regions

Publications

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Brief

Community health worker caseloads, home visits, and child survival: Experimental evidence of heterogenous effects from Mali

2025Allen IV, James
Details

Community health worker caseloads, home visits, and child survival: Experimental evidence of heterogenous effects from Mali

I examine whether the effectiveness of community health worker (CHW) home visits in reducing under-five mortality varies with the population-to-CHW ratio in rural, fragile, and conflict-affected Mali. Muso, a global health NGO focused on reducing child and maternal mortality, recently signed a data use agreement with IFPRI to enable study of new research questions using data from its recent randomized controlled trial (RCT) of proactive home visits in Mali’s Bankass region. The original trial found that proactive home visits by professional CHWs did not lead to detectable reductions in child mortality relative to fixed-site care, although health infrastructure improvements in both treatment arms likely led to experienced large declines in under-five mortality across all study communities amid ongoing conflict. In this project note, I study heterogeneous effects of the proactive home visit model by population-to-CHW ratios using nearly census level baseline population data and administrative records on CHW assignment. I test the hypothesis that home visits may operate differently when CHWs face particularly high or low caseloads. In theory, CHWs serving small populations may not be necessary for improving access because travel distances to fixed sites are already short, whereas CHWs serving very large populations may be unable to conduct sufficiently frequent and high-quality home visits. If both mechanisms operate, an optimal population-to-CHW ratio may exist. Instead, I find evidence that CHW home visits are more effective when the population-to-CHW ratio is high. At 900 people per CHW (about the 90th percentile in the trial data), children in control clusters experience significantly higher mortality risk. This elevated risk, however, is offset in clusters assigned to proactive home visits. Additional checks indicate that this is driven by CHW coverage rather than underlying population size. These findings suggest that proactive home visits may be most beneficial in areas where fixed-site CHWs otherwise face heavy caseloads.

Year published

2025

Authors

Allen IV, James

Citation

Allen IV, James. 2025. Community health worker caseloads, home visits, and child survival: Experimental evidence of heterogenous effects from Mali. FCA Brief. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178959

Country/Region

Mali

Keywords

Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Western Africa; Community Organizations; Health Care; Child Health; Fragility

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Source

Source record

Record type

Brief

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Working Paper

How local leaders view transparency and local autonomy in humanitarian aid distribution: Evidence from Mali

2025Bleck, Jaimie; Carrillo, Lucia; Gottlieb, Jessica; Guindo, Sidiki; Kosec, Katrina; Kyle, Jordan; Soumano, Moumouni
Details

How local leaders view transparency and local autonomy in humanitarian aid distribution: Evidence from Mali

Recognizing the pivotal role local governance plays in crisis response and the diversity of local conditions even within a single country context, this article examines variation in preferences over humanitarian aid delivery among local leaders in Mali. Drawing on qualitative fieldwork and a survey of 2,919 local leaders across the country, we investigate leaders’ preferences over two key dimensions of aid governance: local autonomy over targeting and distribution and transparency over aid delivery. Using aid profile vignettes to elicit preferences over these attributes, we find that leaders generally favor approaches that combine both greater local control and greater transparency, viewing transparency as complementary to autonomy rather than constraining. Preferences, however, vary by leaders’ position and by context: outsiders to aid governance demand more transparency, and leaders’ relative trust in local aid committees versus donors predicts preferences for autonomy. Leaders in conflict-affected villages place greater value on autonomy and less on transparency, highlighting how insecurity reshapes aid preferences in fragile settings.

Year published

2025

Authors

Bleck, Jaimie; Carrillo, Lucia; Gottlieb, Jessica; Guindo, Sidiki; Kosec, Katrina; Kyle, Jordan; Soumano, Moumouni

Citation

Bleck, Jaimie; Carrillo, Lucia; Gottlieb, Jessica; Guindo, Sidiki; Kosec, Katrina; et al. 2025. How local leaders view transparency and local autonomy in humanitarian aid distribution: Evidence from Mali. IFPRI Discussion Paper 2384. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178892

Country/Region

Mali

Keywords

Western Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Governance; Humanitarian Organizations; Aid Programmes; Conflicts; Resilience; Policies; Local Authorities

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open Access

Source

Source record

Project

Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Record type

Working Paper

Resource thumbnail

Journal Article

Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali

2025Brander, Rebecca L.; Touré, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; Huybregts, Lieven
Details

Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali

Background Relapse among children treated for wasting is a major concern. We estimated the frequency and determinants of relapse to wasting in two populations exposed to PROMIS, an integrated wasting prevention and screening program. Methods Using longitudinal data from PROMIS trials in Burkina Faso and Mali, we calculated the incidence rate and period prevalence of relapse to wasting within 6 months in children who had ≥1 wasting episode ending when they were ≥6 months old for which they were treated and recovered (NBurkina Faso=247; NMali=220). We used backward elimination to select a multivariable model of sociodemographic, nutrition- and health-related determinants of relapse. We also evaluated if prevention interventions (behavior change communication (BCC) and/or small quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) were associated with relapse, adjusting for confounders and trial arm. Results Relapse incidence was 2.6 per child-year in Burkina Faso (N=291 episodes) and 1.6 per child-year in Mali (N=300 episodes). In both countries, being fed the recommended food frequency or iron-rich foods after recovering from wasting was associated with lower risk of relapse. In Mali, longer wasting episodes, lack of minimally diverse diet consumption, and several caregiver/household characteristics were associated with lower risk of relapse. In both countries, receipt of BCC after recovery from wasting was associated with lower risk of relapse (Incidence rate ratio [IRR]Burkina Faso = 0.51 [95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30, 0.86]; IRRMali = 0.26 [95% CI = 0.11, 0.65]), as was receipt of SQ-LNS (IRRBurkina Faso = 0.33 [95% CI = 0.16, 0.70]; (IRRMali = 0.43 [95% CI = 0.19, 0.94]), after adjustments. Conclusion Children being discharged from wasting treatment are a well-defined vulnerable population who stand to benefit from targeted post-discharge preventive interventions. BCC that includes advice on optimal infant and young child feeding practices and SQ-LNS may help prevent wasting relapse in at-risk children.

Year published

2025

Authors

Brander, Rebecca L.; Touré, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; Huybregts, Lieven

Citation

Brander, Rebecca L.; Toure, Mariama; Becquey, Elodie; Ruel, Marie T.; Leroy, Jef L.; and Huybregts, Lieven. 2025. Preventing relapse from wasting: the role of sociodemographic, child feeding, and health care determinants and of wasting prevention interventions in Burkina Faso and Mali. Journal of Nutrition 155(9): 2945-2954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.019

Country/Region

Burkina Faso; Mali

Keywords

Africa; Western Africa; Northern Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Child Feeding; Nutrition; Recuperation; Wasting Disease (nutritional Disorder)

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.06.019 Source record

Project

Sustainable Healthy Diets

Record type

Journal Article

Datasets

Dataset

Integrated and enhanced dataset on food security and household coping strategies of Mali (2018-2023)

2025International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

Integrated and enhanced dataset on food security and household coping strategies of Mali (2018-2023)

This dataset integrates and standardizes multiple cross-sectional household food security surveys conducted twice a year to support the Cadre Harmonisé process in West Africa. The surveys are carried out in two waves each year: First wave: Conducted before the start of the lean season (around February-March) Second wave: Conducted at the end of the lean season or beginning of the harvesting period (around September-October) These large-scale surveys are generally representative at the second-tier administrative level and capture data on the access and stability dimensions of food security. Key indicators include: -Food Consumption Score (FCS); -Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS); -Coping behaviors. Additionally, this dataset is further augmented with information on several covariate shocks that took place in each second-level administrative area in the period between two subsequent surveys. The different covariate shocks added to the dataset relate to five shock domains: -Conflict and political violence; -Food price anomalies; -Long-term climate hazards; -Rainy season performance; -Extreme weather events. This comprehensive dataset provides valuable insights into food security and household coping strategies in Mali, enriched with data on various shocks impacting food security.

Year published

2025

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2025. Integrated and enhanced dataset on food security and household coping strategies of Mali (2018-2023). Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/NNAYAM. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

Mali

Keywords

Western Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Climate; Food Security; Households; Violence; Conflicts; Migration; Food Prices; Shock

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/nnayam Source record

Project

Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

ACLED Conflict Index G5 Sahel (2018-2023)

2024International Food Policy Research Institute
Details

ACLED Conflict Index G5 Sahel (2018-2023)

This dataset contains the ACLED conflict index, its classification, and related underlying dimensions and rankings of deadliness, danger, diffusion, and fragmentation for the 279 second-level administrative areas of Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Chad between 2018 and 2023. Following a slightly modified version of ACLED’s conflict index methodology, the dataset is generated based on ACLED’s curated dataset for Africa (5 January 2024) and United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs’s (OCHA) geographic dataset for the Sahel (including P-codes).

Year published

2024

Authors

International Food Policy Research Institute

Citation

International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). 2024. ACLED Conflict Index G5 Sahel (2018-2023). Washington, DC: IFPRI [dataset]. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/139799

Country/Region

Mauritania; Mali; Burkina Faso; Niger; Chad

Keywords

Western Africa; Africa; Middle Africa; Conflicts; Migration; Fragility

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/t6ut9o Source record

Project

Fragility, Conflict, and Migration

Record type

Dataset

Dataset

Survey of Land and Water Management Practices Over Time on the Productivity and Economic Benefits of Cereal Crops

2023International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics
Details

Survey of Land and Water Management Practices Over Time on the Productivity and Economic Benefits of Cereal Crops

Land and water management practices like that of contour bunding, drip irrigation and shallow wells have been implemented by farmers over time in southern Mali. Farmers use these practices to improve yield performance and increase the household income. The impact of land and water management practices was evaluated on different crops (sorghum, millet, maize, groundnut and cotton) grown in two agro-ecologies of southern Mali. The data collected complete the data on environmental domain (field experiment from 2015 to 2017). That data were collected from the four established technology parks in Bougouni and Koutiala.

Year published

2023

Authors

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics

Citation

International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). 2023. Survey of Land and Water Management Practices Over Time on the Productivity and Economic Benefits of Cereal Crops. Washington, DC: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) [dataset]. https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/HIMC9V. Harvard Dataverse. Version 1.

Country/Region

Mali

Keywords

Western Africa; Sub-saharan Africa; Africa; Water Management; Land Management; Contour Bunding; Drip Irrigation; Agroecology; Household Income; Crops; Sorghum; Maize; Groundnuts; Cotton

Language

English

Access/Licence

Open AccessCC-BY-4.0

Links

https://doi.org/10.7910/dvn/himc9v Source record

Record type

Dataset

Blogs

When caseloads matter: Community health workers, home visits, and child survival in Mali
Research Post
 | 
February 06, 2026

When caseloads matter: Community health workers, home visits, and child survival in Mali

By James Allen IV

What works best when resources are stretched?

The ECOWAS breakup: Implications for West African food security and regional cooperation
Issue Post
 | 
January 28, 2025

The ECOWAS breakup: Implications for West African food security and regional cooperation

By Danielle Resnick

Facing the “Sahelexit.”

Adapt, assess, progress: Integrating measures of women’s empowerment into rural development projects
Research Post
 | 
May 13, 2024

Adapt, assess, progress: Integrating measures of women’s empowerment into rural development projects

By Carlo Azzarri, Sedi-Anne Boukaka, Jessica Heckert, Ruth Meinzen-Dick, Greg Seymour, and Sara Savastano

A new tool developed by IFPRI and IFAD.

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Events

Beyond Treatment: Integrated Strategies to Prevent Child Wasting and post-treatment Relapse
IFPRI Program/Country Event

 | 

April 1, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Beyond Treatment: Integrated Strategies to Prevent Child Wasting and post-treatment Relapse

Child wasting affects an estimated 42 million children at any given time, but over a year, between 240 and 295 million episodes of wasting occur.  Wasting, including severe wasting, is associated with approximately 850,000 child deaths annually and have livelong consequences for child health and development. Although effective outpatient treatment protocols exist, coverage remains below 30% […]

Irrigation sensible à la nutrition au Mali : un guide pour progresser en matière de sécurité hydrique, alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Mali
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

August 2, 2023, 9:00 – 10:30 am

Irrigation sensible à la nutrition au Mali : un guide pour progresser en matière de sécurité hydrique, alimentaire et nutritionnelle au Mali

Virtual Event: August 2, 2023 – 9:00 AM- 10:30 AM EDT. Irrigation contributes to agricultural intensification and farm profitability, helps farm households extend the growing season, and is increasingly important for farmers’ resilience to climate shocks and stressors. Please join us for a webinar to discuss this important topic on August 2 at 9:00 EST and 13:00 GMT (Bamako time).

Irregular Migration and Food Security: A View from West Africa
IFPRI Policy Seminar

 | 

July 20, 2023, 9:30 – 11:00 am

Irregular Migration and Food Security: A View from West Africa

Event: July 20, 2023 – 9:30 AM- 11:00 AM EDT. This seminar will present study results and the website, with discussion by researchers from IFPRI, WFP, and MIT as well as other experts.

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News

March 08, 2026 | In the News

Hunger crisis is set to get worse in west and central Africa – why and what to do about it (The Conversation)

Countries in west and central Africa are facing a food crisis with multiple causes. Estimates in late December 2025 suggested that 41.8 million people were already in crisis or worse in October-December 2025.

July 31, 2025 | Press Release

New study finds behavior change communication and nutrition supplements can help prevent relapse from child wasting

The study, published in The Journal of Nutrition, used longitudinal data from two cluster-randomized trials in Burkina Faso and Mali, the PROMIS project.

June 21, 2023 | Press Release

WFP resilience programmes in Sahel act as buffer against instability, build peace and social cohesion – study finds

DAKAR – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)’s efforts to build resilience to climate-related and human-made shocks and stressors have been shown to boost food security, while also strengthening social cohesion and improving the prospects for peace in Burkina Faso and Niger – a new study reveals.  The “Sahel Social Cohesion Research in Burkina […]

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Projects

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

School Meals and School-based Actions for People and the Planet

…

Spatial Typologies for Targeted Food and Nutrition Security Interventions

Spatial Typologies for Targeted Food and Nutrition Security Interventions

…

COVID-19: Measuring Impacts and Prioritizing Policies for Recovery

COVID-19: Measuring Impacts and Prioritizing Policies for Recovery

…

View all Projects