Contribution of GIS and participatory Mapping for the analysis of the cropping system in the circle of Kita, in Mali

The development of geospatial technologies allows the creation of numerous services in all areas. In agriculture, their use is much more oriented towards mapping and evaluating agricultural areas. However, the identification and mapping of crops through GIS tools remains a major challenge especially in its African context. The objective of this work is to analyze the crop systems of the terroirs of Banfara, Madina Malinké and in the circle of Kita using GIS tools. To achieve this objective, we used the Google Earth Pro database for the years 2020 and 2021. Through a participatory approach, all the plots and the type of cultivation practiced were identified and mapped. After digitizing the agricultural plots, we carried out field observation in order to validate them. Geoprocessing operations and descriptive analyzes were then carried out. The methodological approach adopted allowed the exhaustive mapping of agricultural plots in the areas of Banfara, Madina Malinké and Toufinko. During the two agricultural seasons 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, the results show a dominance of cereal crops in the village of Banfara and a dominance of cash crops in the villages of Madina Malinké and Toufinko.