Before this summer, Ms. Cissé Bintou Diabaté of Bamako, Mali, was intimidated by the prospect of becoming an agrodealer and competing among men.
But thanks to CNFA’s Agrodealer Strengthening Program for Mali (ASPM), which helped Cissé establish her business in June 2009, Cissé has not only successfully pierced this male-dominated field but has doubled her income in only three months. Now Cissé is well on her way to becoming an established agrodealer.
“Working with CNFA is slowly changing my life, but I have a long way to go,” she said. “I hope to build my future with CNFA.”
Cissé, 21, was first introduced to CNFA’s ASPM, a two-year $2.5 million project funded by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), by her father, a fertilizer dealer. Having recently graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade, Cissé was selling cosmetic products and at first was reluctant to take her father’s advice.
“I hesitated because I have no experience selling inputs, and I was afraid of competing with men,” she said.
Despite these reservations, Cissé attended CNFA’s Business Management Training (BMT) and Technical trainings in May and, with loans and further assistance from CNFA, rented a shop at the Bamako marketplace and established a relationship with YARA Company.
Cissé’s first loan bought 5 Mt of fertilizer, and since June, Cissé has benefitted from three loans of $3,500, making a profit of $500 after each loan. Focusing on long-term success over short-term profits, Cissé has also reinvested in her business, hiring a marketing manager for $20 a week to build linkages and boost the business’ profile.
Assistance from CNFA has increased Cissé’s confidence and taught her vital business management skills, she said.
“My greatest achievement has been the financial control I am exercising to manage my business,” Cissé said. “I did not have this financial expertise previously when selling cosmetics. Before the BMT, I used to stay in one place and wait for clients. Now I move around to seek clients in the villages.”
From selling cosmetics only months ago, Cissé now sells agricultural inputs in five districts: Kita, Kati, Kolokani and recently Niamana and Dio.
She plans to continue working with CNFA to expand her agrodealer business further.
“I have to go through villages to promote my product,” she said. “Hence, I will attend CNFA exhibitions and field days to become well-known among customers and input supply companies. I would appreciate having CNFA’s support in establishing a relationship with companies involved in the distribution of fertilizers and pesticides.”
In the future, Cissé said she hopes CNFA will support more women’s participation in its Mali program: “There are not enough women involved in input distribution in Mali.”
Equipped with a natural ambition and the business management and technical skills essential for success, Cissé provides an impressive example for women and other agrodealers in the region to follow.
