Africa report 05/96 Individual countries

MALI

Area:	1 220 000 sq.km
Climate:	From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October
Population:	9.10 million (1995 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 250 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country:	Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country
Logistics:	Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important; rail link to Dakar (Senegal)
Major foodcrops:	Millet, sorghum, rice, maize
Marketing year:	November/October; Lean season: July-September
Share of cereals in total calorie intake:	75 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The first rains were registered in mid-April. Land preparation is about to start for planting in May/June. Seasonal dry conditions prevail. An FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission in late October estimated total 1995 cereal production at 2 178 000 tons, including paddy. This represents a decrease of some 11 percent, compared to a record output of 2 457 000 tons in 1994/95 and is attributed to a reduction in area planted and yields. Isolated Desert Locusts may be present in a few places of the Adrar des Iforas.Following two favourable harvests in succession, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Nevertheless, some areas are facing difficulties following poor harvest and pest attacks, notably in the structurally deficit areas of the north. The national early warning system indicates that the three arrondissements of Bamba, Bourem and Téméra of Bourem circle in Gao region are facing food shortages and are receiving food aid, estimated at a total of 4 000 tons of cereals for about 64 500 persons over 7 months. In addition, several other arrondissements of Bandiagara, Djenné and Ténenkou circles in Mopti region, of Abeibara, Kidal, Tessalit and Tin Essako circles in Kidal region as well as the arrondissements of Douékiré and Goudam in Tombouctou region and N’Tillit and Almoustarat in Gao region are at risk of food shortages. For the affected population in these areas, estimated at 317 100 persons, the early warning system recommends a total of 8 567 tons of food aid. Elsewhere, the food supply situation is reported to be satisfactory or, if production decreased, other sources of income are available. Assistance will also be necessary for the Tuaregs who have started to return from Mauritania in Kidal region: 60 tons for the camp of Annefis (950 persons) and 20 tons for the camp of Inabague (300 persons). Some surplus coarse grains are available in the south and can be mobilized to cover food aid needs mentioned above. For the 1995/96 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 105 000 tons and food aid requirement at 25 000 tons.

CEREAL SUPPLY/DEMAND BALANCE FOR THE 1995/96 MARKETING YEAR (in thousand tons)

	Wheat	Rice	Coarse grains	Total
Normal production	3	270	1 764	2 037
Normal imports	55	30	15	100
of which: Structural food aid	20	-	5	25
1995/96 Domestic availability	7	306	1 803	2 116
1995 Production	7	306	1 713	2 026
Possible stock drawdown	-	-	90	90
1995/96 Utilization	57	346	1 818	2 221
Food use	56	321	1 515	1 892
of which: local purchase requirement	(-)	(-)	(20)	(20)
Non-food use	1	25	263	289
Exports	-	-	40	40
1995/96 Import Requirement	50	40	15	105
Anticipated commercial imports	30	40	10	80
Food aid needs	20	-	5	25
Current Aid Position
Food aid pledges	5	-	2	7
of which: Delivered	5	-	2	7
Estimated per caput consumption (kg/year)	6	35	164	205
Indexes
1995 production as % of normal:				99
1995/96 import requirement as % of normal:				105
1995/96 food aid requirement as % of normal (including returnee needs):				100

FAO/GIEWS - April 1996