(Ecofin Agency) - Mali expects to produce 750,000 tons of cotton during the 2018-19 season which should begin by May 2018, the agriculture minister announced.

In the country which is already assured to be the African leading cotton producer with at least 725,000 tons produced in the 2017-2018 season, this new feat will be achieved by intensifying the mechanization and use of farm input. It will also be realized by extending the size of sown areas which should register a 4.6% increase by growing from 703,652 ha to 736,000 ha, according to Commodafrica.

For the record, it is estimated that Mali needs about CFA111 billion to implement these measures. It should also be noted that in the recent years, the government decided to offer subsidies on the purchase of farm inputs and tractors.

Espoir Olodo