|
Area: |
1 220 000 sq.km |
|
Climate: |
From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; one rainy season: May-October |
|
Population: |
9.25 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 300 (1993) |
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Specific characteristics of the country: |
Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked sahelian country |
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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
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited Mali in mid-October estimated 1996 aggregate cereal production at almost 2.2 million tons. This is above 1995 level season (+6 percent) and close to average. This increase in production is due to the high yields since the total area under cereal cultivation is slightly lower than in 1995 (-1 percent). Millet, rice and wheat production rose significantly compared to the 1995/96 figures, while maize and sorghum production decreased. Forecasts for off-season crops are put at about 49 000 tons, comprising 33 000 tons of rice, 14 000 tons of maize and 2 000 tons of sorghum.
Following this relatively good harvest, the overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of sorghum and maize started to decrease in late September and were still decreasing significantly in late December/early January. Supply of cereals is adequate. The national early warning system estimated that no food distribution is necessary for the moment but that several arrondissements in the north may face economic difficulties in 1997 notably in Kidal and Gao regions. However, following the collapse of a dam at Lake Horo in Tonka arrondissement in Tombouctou region, more than 1 000 hectares usually cultivated with off-season crops have been flooded, leaving about 30 000 persons severe food supply difficulties. An assessment mission is scheduled to assess the impact of floodings and the needs of affected population. For the 1996/97 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 110 000 tons and the food aid requirement at 35 000 tons. Food assistance is also given to the Tuaregs who have returned from neighbouring countries. Between November 1995 and November 1996, about 77 000 Malian refugees returned to their homes, arriving from Algeria (42 300), Mauritania (14 000), Niger (8 500), Burkina Faso (5 000) and Senegal (700). For 1997, about 62 000 additional refugees are anticipated to return in Mali from Niger (18 000), Burkina Faso (15 000), Mauritania (15 000) and Algeria (14 000).
|
Wheat |
Rice |
Coarse grains |
Total |
|
|
Normal Production (rice in paddy terms) |
3 |
439 |
1 808 |
2 250 |
|
Normal Imports |
- |
30 |
- |
30 |
|
of which: Structural food aid |
15 |
2 |
- |
17 |
|
1996/97 Domestic Availability |
15 |
398 |
1 717 |
2 130 |
|
1996 Production (rice in paddy terms) |
10 |
586 |
1 597 |
2 193 |
|
1996 Production (rice in milled terms) |
10 |
398 |
1 597 |
2 005 |
|
Possible stock drawdown |
5 |
- |
120 |
125 |
|
1996/97 Utilization |
65 |
428 |
1 747 |
2 240 |
|
Food Use |
64 |
300 |
1 484 |
1 848 |
|
of which: local purchase requirement |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
Non-food use |
1 |
88 |
243 |
332 |
|
(Re-)Exports |
- |
- |
20 |
20 |
|
Possible stock build up |
- |
40 |
- |
40 |
|
1996/97 Import Requirement |
50 |
30 |
30 |
110 |
|
Anticipated commercial imports |
35 |
30 |
10 |
75 |
|
Food aid needs |
15 |
- |
20 |
35 |
|
Current Aid Position | ||||
|
Food aid pledges |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
of which: Delivered |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Donor-financed local purchases |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
|
Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) |
7 |
33 |
160 |
200 |
|
Indexes | ||||
|
1996 production as % of normal: |
97 |
|||
|
1996/97 import requirement as % of normal: |
367 |
|||
|
1996/97 food aid requirement as % of normal: |
206 |