Mali

MALI, one of the larger West African countries, has an area of 1.2 million km², most of which consists of desert (Sahara), with central grasslands and humid savanna in the south. Agriculture occupies 80% of the workforce in the population of 11.0 million (1999) and makes up nearly half the GDP.

General information

• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 780
• Internal renewable water resources: 60 km³
• Incoming water flow: 40 km³
• Main food consumed: millet and sorghum, rice, maize, oil and fat, milk
• Rice consumption, 1999: 48.7 kg milled rice per person per year

Production constraints
The following are the major constraints to sustainable rice production in Mali:

• Heat-induced sterility during the off-season in irrigated areas
• Cold-induced sterility in December
• Recurrent drought and flooding in deepwater rice areas
• Shortage of water in the dry season
• Weed competition, especially wild rice (Oryza barthi and O. longistaminata)
• Poor maintenance of irrigation facilities
• Inadequate and irregular input supplies: seeds, fertilizer, and credit
• Lack of small farm equipment, especially for postharvest operations
• Competition for labor by other production activities
• Poor road networks and marketing systems
• Weak research and extension support

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