Area:
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1 220 000 sq.km
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Climate:
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From north to south: arid, semi-arid and tropical wet-dry; rainy season: May-October
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Population:
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10.22 million (2000 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: US$ 250 (1998)
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Specific characteristics of the country:
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Low-income food-deficit country; land-locked Sahelian country
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Logistics:
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Roads inadequate during rainy season; river transport important; rail link to Dakar (Senegal)
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Major foodcrops:
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Millet, sorghum, rice, maize
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Marketing year:
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November/October; Lean season: July-September
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Share of cereals in total calorie intake:
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75 percent
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Following generally widespread and regular rains in June, notably during the second dekad, millet and sorghum are emerging satisfactorily in the south while plantings are progressing well in the centre and the north. Cumulative rainfall as of late June is normal to above normal in most meteorological stations. However, precipitation decreased somewhat in early July in the centre. Planting of rice in seedbeds is underway in the irrigated areas along the Niger river.
Pastures are improving, notably in the south. Seed availability is good following two successive record crops in 1998 and 1999. Low numbers of Desert Locusts are likely to be present and persist in a few wadis in the Adrar des Iforas where small scale laying could commence if rainfall occurs.
Following two successive bumper crops, the overall food situation is satisfactory. Production of irrigated rice in Ségou and Mopti Regions reached record levels. Production of recession sorghum and maize is also good. Markets are well supplied and cereal prices are much lower than previous years. They were still decreasing in March, when they normally start to increase with the arrival of the lean season. However, these very low prices, due to large cereal surpluses, may cause economic difficulties for farmers in some areas, notably in some irrigated rice areas. There are good opportunities for local purchases and transfer of surplus cereals to neighbouring countries or even outside West Africa. The national early warning system (SAP) estimated that only 2 arrondissements out of the 173 it monitors in the centre and the north (namely Baye in the Bankass cercle and Diankabou in the Koro cercle), are moderately at risk of food shortages following floods which destroyed rice crops. The cereal import requirement for the 1999/2000 marketing year is estimated at 100 000 tonnes of wheat and rice. No food aid is required.
| Wheat | Rice | Coarse grains | Total | |
| Previous five years average production | 4 | 566 | 1 730 | 2 300 |
| Previous five years average imports | 48 | 54 | 6 | 108 |
| 1999/2000 Domestic Availability | 15 | 551 | 2 127 | 2 693 |
| 1999 Production (rice in paddy terms) | 15 | 810 | 2 127 | 2 952 |
| 1999 Production (rice in milled terms) | 15 | 551 | 2 127 | 2 693 |
| Possible stock drawdown | - | - | - | - |
| 1999/2000 Utilization | 65 | 601 | 2 127 | 2 793 |
| Food Use | 64 | 405 | 1 624 | 2 093 |
| of which: local purchase requirement | - | - | 10 | 10 |
| Non-food use | 1 | 105 | 333 | 439 |
| Exports or Re-exports | - | 50 | 50 | 100 |
| Possible stock build up | - | 40 | 120 | 160 |
| 1999/2000 Import Requirement | 50 | 50 | - | 100 |
| Anticipated commercial imports | 45 | 50 | - | 95 |
| Food aid needs | 5 | - | - | 5 |
| Current Aid Position | ||||
| Food aid pledges | 3 | - | - | 3 |
| of which: Delivered | 3 | - | - | 3 |
| Donor-financed purchases | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| of which: for local use | - | - | 3 | 3 |
| for export | - | - | - | - |
| Estimated Per Caput Consumption (kg/Year) | 6 | 40 | 159 | 205 |
| Indexes | ||||
| 1999 production as % of average: | 128 | |||
| 1999/2000 import requirement as % of average: | 93 |
