(Ecofin Agency) - Approaching the end of 2015/2016 rice season, Mali reveals a production of 2.451 million tons. This output which is 13% higher than last season’s is slightly below the expectations of Malian authorities who forecast an output of 2.599 million tons.

Despite not achieving this outstanding production, Mali still succeeded in ranking second West African rice producer behind Nigeria. “The growth recorded this year was due to a good raining season, an increase in the volume of cultivated lands, the introduction of new varieties such as NERICA as well as the increase in fertilizers use financed by subsidies,” the head of statistics division of Ministry of rural development Balla keita told Reuters.

Truly, this year, government injected close to FCFA 55 billion to supply fertilizers to rice farmers.