Mamadou Diarrra originally left home to find success off the farm. Now that he has earned some money and gained some off-farm experience, Diarra has returned to help his family.

For the Daba Kamalen project, Diarra has been given a one-hectare field from his father to grow corn for seed for the market. Government controls every aspect of seed production and he needs to be certified before planting a single corn seed. Diarra will get fertilizer and equipment to aid in his success, but like any other producer, he relies heavily on the weather. As a wind kicks up and soil and dust take to the air, will the weather provide him with enough rain to have a successful corn crop?

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• More from the FarmQuest project: Awa Doumbia

Mamadou Diarra is a contestant in Farmquest, a “radio reality” series sponsored by Farm Radio International, a Canadian organization that works with African radio stations to deliver extension information to farmers. Each of the six contestants submitted a business plan for a farm operation, and each was featured in a series on Radio Fanaka. We’ll feature each over the next few weeks. The winner receives a cash prize to help start his or her new farm venture.