In this research, it is aimed to investigate the economic performance of cotton farms and to reveal the profitability and competitiveness of cotton production in Founia district of Kita province. The research data were obtained from the questionnaires conducted with 55 farms determined according to the stratified random sampling method. Policy Analysis Matrix was used to determine profitability and competitiveness in cotton production. The results of the research showed that the farms in Founia county have an average of 10.44 da farm land. Gross production value per farm is $3519.89, agricultural income is $2197.42. According to the result obtained from PAM, private profit of cotton production in Founia district was 58.97 $/ton social profit was 1017.38 $/ton. Within the scope of the research, Specific Cost Ratio (PCR) coefficients of 0.77 and Cost Ratio of Domestic Resources (DRC) of 0.19 obtained from PAM were found. However, according to the Nominal Protection Coefficient on Output (NPCO) (0.30), Nominal Protection Coefficient on Tradable Inputs (NPCI) (0.87) and Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) (0.20) coefficients, it is seen that the cotton price is lower than the comparable world prices and the producer earns less profit from free trade. Therefore, in the short term, incentive premiums, direct financial support, protection of cotton prices, good communication with farms and extension policies should be implemented. The increase in yield with the introduction of irrigation systems will increase competitiveness.The government and the Compagnie Malienne pour le Développement des Textiles (CMDT) should assist in the leasing and long-term purchase of modern farm machinery, which is one of the fixed capitals, in order to increase productivity.

Like the whole sub-Sahara Africa, rainfall in Fina reserve is subject of strong inter-annual variability. This paper assesses farmers’ perception on land use utilised in the Fina biosphere reserve and their adaptation measures to climate variability. The statistical methods (descriptive and inferential analysis) are used in this study to determine farmers’ perceptions and the adaptation measures in the Fina reserve. Results reveal that 75.5% of the farmers noticed an increase in temperature and decrease in rainfall ignoring the recent recovery observed in the annual rainfall. The length of rainy season is considered to be shorter according to 77.6% of farmers involved to the investigation. However, all the farmers underlined frequent and longer dry spell. Bush fire is considered by 10.2% of farmers as the major factor affecting the natural resources of the reserve and only about 10% of farmers accorded much importance to agricultural land as contributor to reserve degradation. Most of the farmers are limited by lack of manpower and not by the reserve rule to increase their farmlands. The major adaptation measures are the methods of shifting cultivation and improving seed which are practiced by 51% and 87.8% of farmers, respectively. New adaptation strategies such as adoption of planting pits and stone-bunds for water retention need to be practiced by farmers.