Book excerpt: ILCA has been conducting a long-term study on livestock production in central Mali since the beginning of 1976. This report presents results based on data collected over a 6-year period from 1978 to mid-1984. In part I the livestock production systems in the zone, management practices and herd and flock demography are described. Cattle and small ruminant productivity is discussed in detail in parts II and III and recommendations based on the results of the studies are given in part IV.