Mali launches US$24M plan to scale up rice production, strengthen food sovereignty
Led by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with GIZ-Mali, the 10-year strategy targets a production increase from 3 million tonnes to 5.5 million tonnes of paddy rice.
MALI – The Malian government has unveiled a US$24.4 million initiative to nearly double the nation’s rice production by 2030.
Dubbed the National Program for Scaling Up the Intensive Rice Farming System (PN-SRI), the initiative was formally launched at a national forum in Bamako on April 17.
Led by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with GIZ-Mali, the 10-year strategy targets a production increase from 3 million tonnes to 5.5 million tonnes of paddy rice.
The initiative is grounded in the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), a cultivation method designed to optimize yields through improved water and soil management, better spacing, and input efficiency.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, the government has committed to covering 60% of the program’s budget and is actively seeking support from technical and financial partners for the remaining 40%.
The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 245,000 producers across one million hectares, significantly boosting local paddy rice production.
Currently, Mali covers about 80% of its milled rice needs, with an average annual consumption of 2.3 million tonnes between 2022 and 2024. However, the country still relies on imports to meet its domestic demand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture projects Mali will import 420,000 tonnes of rice in 2025.
By achieving the PN-SRI production goals, Mali aims to sharply reduce this reliance and potentially position itself as a regional supplier. Beyond national borders, the program also supports wider West African efforts to bolster food systems and climate resilience.
The program also aligns with broader regional efforts to enhance food security and resilience. The Sahara and Sahel Observatory (OSS) has been working with Malian authorities to implement the “Scaling up climate-resilient rice production in West Africa” (RICOWAS) project, which complements the objectives of the PN-SRI.
“This program is a strategic step toward self-sufficiency and food security,” said Agriculture Minister Lassine Dembélé during the forum.
The initiative’s success will hinge on coordinated delivery of agricultural inputs, infrastructure investment, and farmer training. If effectively implemented, the PN-SRI could meet domestic demand and create opportunities for Mali to enter regional rice markets.
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