Mali anticipates a significant uptick in grain production for the 2024/25 farming season, projecting a yield of 11.1 million metric tons, marking a 12.1% increase from the preceding season, according to the country’s agriculture ministry’s announcement on Wednesday.
Following Nigeria, Mali stands as the second-largest grain producer in the region, supplying neighboring nations with its agricultural produce.
Provisional data shared by Prime Minister Choguel Maiga indicated a grain production of 9.9 million tons for the 2023/24 season, as reported in March.
The ministry’s forecast hinges on favorable weather conditions, specifically ample and evenly distributed rainfall throughout the season, as outlined in its seasonal plan.
In addition to grains, the ministry also predicts a rise in seed cotton production, targeting 765,000 tons for the 2024-2025 season, reflecting an 11% increase from the previous season’s forecast of 690,000 tons.
Junta leader Assimi Goita announced on state radio a raise in cotton producer purchase prices to 300 CFA francs ($0.49) per kilogram from the previous 295 CFA francs per kg. He further confirmed the renewal of subsidies on inputs, which would reduce the price of a 50 kg bag of mineral fertilizer from 19,000 CFA francs to 14,000 CFA francs.
Mali’s agricultural calendar spans from April to April.
