Mrs. Fatoumata Sokona, a Malian researcher passionate about rural development and agroecology, is pursuing a PhD in Agricultural Economics at the University of Parakou, Benin and Co-supervised by the Institution of Rural Economics Mali. Her doctoral research focuses on the socio-economic and environmental impacts of organic cotton production in Southern Mali, reflecting her strong commitment to promoting sustainable agricultural practices. She serves as a Research Assistant on the Agroecological Transition Support (AgrEco) project at the Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) in Bamako, Mali, where she contributes to evaluating agroecological technologies, integrating innovative products into agricultural value chains, and supporting farmers socio-economically. Alongside her research, Fatoumata is also a part-time Teaching Assistant at the University of Segou, where she leads tutorials on agricultural sector analysis, marketing of agricultural products, gender, microeconomics, and value chain organization. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, Sociology, and Communication for Rural Development from the University of Abomey-Calavi, Benin, and a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Segou. Fatoumata’s research has resulted in publications in recognized journals such as Organic Agriculture  and Sustainable Environment (Taylor and Francis). Fluent in French and proficient in English, with basic knowledge of Arabic, she is skilled in Microsoft Office, SPSS, Stata, Minitab, KoboCollect, and SAFA for sustainability analysis. Motivated by curiosity and a passion for impactful research, she actively engages in workshops, seminars, and discussions to promote agroecology and sustainable farming. Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys research, sports, and travel, which continue to broaden her perspective and inspire her efforts toward advancing agroecological transformation and rural development in Africa.