Irrigation systems are essential for sustainable agricultural productivity in drought-prone regions of Mali. However, traditional irrigation methods often prove economically unviable due to high initial costs and maintenance requirements. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative analysis of climate data with qualitative interviews of local farmers was employed. The methodology involved creating a prototype system and conducting cost-benefit analyses to determine its economic viability. The prototype irrigation system demonstrated an average reduction in water usage by 30% compared to traditional methods, primarily due to the efficient design features implemented. This study highlights the potential for low-cost, sustainable irrigation solutions that can be scaled across Mali's rural landscapes, contributing to food security and economic resilience. Local government agencies should prioritise the implementation of these low-cost irrigation systems in drought-prone areas. Further research is needed to validate the findings on a larger scale. Irrigation design, cost-benefit analysis, sustainable agriculture, Mali, rural development The maintenance outcome was modelled as $Y_{it}=\beta_0+\beta_1X_{it}+u_i+\varepsilon_{it}$, with robustness checked using heteroskedasticity-consistent errors.