Agriculture plays an important role in the Malian economy, as it contributes to 40% of the Gross Domestic Product and to 30% of export earnings.  It employs 75% of the workforce.

Agriculture remains heavily dependent on climate and hydrological conditions. Agricultural production suffers from low and random rainfalls. In the last thirty years, the country has suffered from reduced rainfalls and increasing desertification towards the south of the country. This has made the rural population highly sensitive to food shortages and has increased the level of poverty.

In terms of food security, Mali is working for the establishment of national food security stocks.

In this context, irrigated agriculture, especially small-scale irrigation, from which a significant part of the population lives, plays a crucial role for poverty reduction and job creation.