Mali is investing 47.4 billion CFA francs for the expansion of irrigation in Selingue and the Bani Basin and strengthen its food security and support rural economies.
Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga launched the second phase of the Irrigation Development Programme in the Bani Basin and Selingue on Thursday, June 19, 2025.
This major agricultural project is mobilising 47.4 billion CFA francs (about $83 million).
This programme, led by the Malian government with support from the West African Development Bank (BOAD) aims to strengthen national food security, while sustaining and structuring the rural economies of Djenne, Moyen-Bani, and Selingue.
Of this amount, BOAD is financing 30 billion CFA francs, while the national counterpart amounts to 900 million.
The first phase of the programme led to the development of 36,500 hectares, the commissioning of key dams in Kourouba and Djenne, and the development of new agricultural and fisheries production systems.
These efforts resulted in an estimated additional annual production of 61,085 tonnes of paddy rice, 7,657 tonnes of vegetables, 1,975 tonnes of fish, and 701,140 litres of milk. It also led to the creation of 3,668 direct jobs, primarily in rural areas.
The new phase plans to develop an additional 10,240 hectares, build 135 kilometres of farm roads, and implement a range of income-generating activities for women and youth.
The Prime Minister stated that this programme will help bridge the grain deficit and position Mali and the AES region as an agricultural export hub in the sub-region.
It is part of the strategic plan “Mali Kura Ɲɛtaasira Ka Bɛn San 2063 Ma,” which makes agriculture a central lever for sustainable development.
The head of government expressed Mali’s gratitude to BOAD, while calling on other technical and financial partners to provide the necessary funding to achieve the set objectives.
The programme, which has multiple expected benefits, is part of a broader policy of resilience to climate shocks and the development of Mali’s hydro-agricultural potential. At the same time, the authorities intend to strengthen producer training, promote local agro-processing, and improve the marketing of agricultural surpluses.
According to FAO data, over 2 million hectares of irrigable land remain unexploited in Mali, while the country’s cereal needs average 5.2 million tonnes per year.
The government aims to meet this demand by 2030 through a combination of initiatives such as the PDI-BS-II, the National Irrigation Plan, and the Systematic Rice Intensification Programme.
In 2024, the net cereal deficit was estimated at 450,000 tonnes, exacerbated by the cumulative effects of insecurity, flooding, and underdeveloped rural areas.
The launch of this second phase therefore marks a significant step forward in the quest for food self-sufficiency and economic stability for millions of
Malians.
MD/ac/Sf/fss/gik/APA