Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
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MALI, one of <strong>the</strong> larger West African countries, has an area of 1.2 million km 2 , <strong>most</strong> of which<br />
consists of desert (Sahara), with centr<strong>al</strong> grasslands and humid savanna in <strong>the</strong> south. Agriculture<br />
occupies 80% of <strong>the</strong> work<strong>for</strong>ce in <strong>the</strong> population of 11.0 million (1999) and makes up nearly<br />
h<strong>al</strong>f <strong>the</strong> GDP.<br />
Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 780<br />
• Intern<strong>al</strong> renewable water re<strong>source</strong>s: 60 km 3<br />
• Incoming water flow: 40 km 3<br />
• Main food consumed: mill<strong>et</strong> and sorghum,<br />
rice, maize, oil and fat, milk<br />
• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 48.7 kg milled rice<br />
per person per year<br />
Production constraints<br />
The following are <strong>the</strong> major constraints to<br />
sustainable rice production in M<strong>al</strong>i:<br />
• Heat-induced sterility during <strong>the</strong> off-season<br />
in irrigated areas<br />
• Cold-induced sterility in December<br />
• Recurrent drought and flooding in<br />
deepwater rice areas<br />
• Shortage of water in <strong>the</strong> dry season<br />
• Weed comp<strong>et</strong>ition, especi<strong>al</strong>ly wild rice<br />
(Oryza barthi and O. longistaminata)<br />
• Poor maintenance of irrigation facilities<br />
• Inadequate and irregular input supplies:<br />
seeds, fertilizer, and credit<br />
• Lack of sm<strong>al</strong>l farm equipment, especi<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
<strong>for</strong> postharvest operations<br />
• Comp<strong>et</strong>ition <strong>for</strong> labor by o<strong>the</strong>r production<br />
activities<br />
• Poor road n<strong>et</strong>works and mark<strong>et</strong>ing systems<br />
• Weak research and extension support<br />
Production season<br />
Planting Harvesting<br />
Main season May-Jul Oct-Dec<br />
Off-season Jan-Mar May-Jul<br />
Deepwater rice Jul-Aug Dec-Jan<br />
190 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac