FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report No.3 - December 2002 p.18
| Area: | 274 000 sq km |
| Climate: | Tropical wet-dry in south, semi-arid in north; rainy season: May-October |
| Population: | 12.01 million (2003 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$210 (2001) |
| Specific characteristics of the country: | Low-income food-deficit country; Sahelian land-locked country |
| Logistics: | Roads inadequate during rainy season; adequate rail link to Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) |
| Major foodcrops: | Millet, sorghum, pulses, maize |
| Marketing year: | November/October; Lean season: July-September |
| Share of cereals in total calorie intake: | 73 percent |
The prospects for the 2002 cereal harvest are favourable despite the erratic starts of the growing season in most regions that delayed plantings. Regular and widespread rains from August through October improved crop conditions countrywide with the exception of the northern regions and Sahel. Pastures are adequate in southern and western areas but insufficient in the north and Sahel. The locust situation remained mostly calm despite some attacks of cantharid and other insects which were adequately controlled.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission that visited the country recently, estimated 2002 aggregate cereal production at 3.28 million tonnes (rice in paddy equivalent). This is five percent above last year's level and markedly higher than the average for the last five years. Compared to 2001, maize production increased by 14 percent, rice by 5 percent and sorghum and millet by 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
The overall food supply situation remained satisfactory during the lean season July-September. Reflecting this year's good harvest, the food supply position will improve also in those areas where it had tightened before the harvest as a result of low production, depleted stocks and sharp increase in cereal market prices which limited access to food.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | - | 97 | 2 456 | 2 553 |
| Previous five years average imports | 66 | 131 | 19 | 216 |
| 2002/03 Domestic Availability | - | 76 | 3 161 | 3 237 |
| 2002 Production (rice in paddy terms) | - | 116 | 3 161 | 3 277 |
| 2002 Production (rice in milled terms) | - | 76 | 3 161 | 3 237 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 2002/03 Utilization | 68 | 235 | 3 176 | 3 479 |
| Food use | 67 | 222 | 2 286 | 2 574 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 15 | 15 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 14 | 480 | 495 |
| Exports or re-exports | - | - | 295 | 295 |
| Possible stock build up | - | - | 115 | 115 |
| 2002/03 Import Requirement | 68 | 159 | 15 | 242 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 62 | 154 | 9 | 224 |
| Food aid needs | 6 | 5 | 7 | 18 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 4 | 8 | 1 | 13 |
| of which: delivered | - | - | - | - |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | - | - |
| of which: for local use | - | - | - | - |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/year) | 6 | 18 | 190 | 214 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 2002 Production as % of average: | 128 | |||
| 2002/03 Import requirement as % of average: | 112 |