Sustainable and organic rice for Malian consumers

The challenges

Rice production in Mali has grown remarkably, increasing by over 200% between the turn of the century and 2020. It reached nearly 2.15 million tonnes in 2022. The country now meets 88% of its national rice requirements, which demonstrates the sector's considerable potential. However, despite these encouraging figures, those involved in the sector are still facing challenges that limit its full potential.

Many family farms lack access to land and the technical skills required for sustainable production. The low entrepreneurial capacity of operational managers and their organisations restricts their growth prospects. The challenge extends beyond the individual, however, as the entire sector must become more professional in order to adapt to a changing market and become a real driver of sustainable rice production. Relationships between processors and farmers remain fragile, leading to difficulties in sourcing sufficient quantities of high-quality paddy, as well as local rice that does not always meet consumer expectations. There are also persistent obstacles to accessing finance and market information, as well as an unfavourable regulatory framework.

However, Mali's national ambitions are clear: through the Agricultural Development Policy (PDA) 2014–2025, the country intends to make agriculture the engine of its food sovereignty and produce 5.5 million tonnes of rice by 2025. In order to achieve this, the foundations of a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable rice system must be strengthened.

The results

“Farmers are adopting the SRP standard to improve incomes, strengthen environmental sustainability, and adapt to climate change.”

• More than 2,600 producers have adopted the standards of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) and the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) standards for local organic production, thereby improving their farming practices, their incomes and their resilience to climate change.
• 17 demonstration plots covering nearly 19 hectares enabled the dissemination of practices such as the Intensive Rice Crop System (SRI), integrated pest management, crop diversification and BOKASHI composting, thereby reducing dependence on chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
• Thanks to the SRP standard, producers are managing water, organic matter (e.g. avoiding the burning of straw) and nitrogen fertilisers more effectively, thereby contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
• The SRP compliance rate increased sharply between 2022 and 2024:
  
  • CORPASO: from 0% to 10.2% of producers reaching a score of ≥90
  • CORIPAK: from 0% to 58% reaching a score of ≥90
  • All producers obtained scores above 60, “tending towards sustainability”
• Producers reported cost savings, increased yields and improved economic and environmental resilience. Despite the average annual net income per hectare dropping from 659 euros in 2023 to 445.28 euros in 2024, producers have not returned to the level seen in 2022 (181.33 euros). The fact that they are maintaining a higher income than two years ago, in a context marked by floods, a reduction in subsidised fertilisers and stagnant prices, suggests a certain adaptive capacity and resilience on the part of the producers and the system in place.
• A network of seed producers has been established within CORIPAK, which has increased the rejection rate of certified plots from 35% to 0% in one year through providing training on ECOWAS seed legislation and production techniques.
• 365 farmers (65% of whom are women) have received training in organic farming, and 155 of these farmers now cultivate 75 hectares of organic land.
• CORIPAK and CORPASO have acquired a fully operational internal control system (SCI), which enables them to guarantee the quality and traceability required by buyers.

“Private actors maintain inclusive and transparent business relationships with sustainable rice farmers, including young people and women, and offer better quality rice to consumers.” ‍

• Thanks to iCRA's AgriBusiness Cluster (ABC) approach, Rikolto accompanied a process of strengthening commercial relationships between IFRIZ-M, its members and several processing units, including AgriSahel and Rizerie Royal. The volume of sustainable rice placed on the market has reached 20,429 tonnes over three years. Despite a drop in production in 2024 due to flooding, results remain encouraging. Crop diversification has contributed to reducing the vulnerability of producers, with 5,300 tonnes of maize and potatoes being marketed.
• In 2024, IFRIZ-M renewed its partnership with Mali's Office of Agricultural Products (OPAM) by signing a contract for 3,500 tonnes of rice worth 1.765 billion CFA francs. This generated 30 million CFA francs in equity for IFRIZ-M.
• In their quest for quality paddy rice, the women of the Dunkafa cooperative were put in contact with the West San Plains Rice Farmers' Cooperative (CORPASO). This informal collaboration resulted in the supply of around 32 tonnes of rice. Similarly, a partnership between the National Association of Rice Processors (ANTR-M) and five steamer cooperatives in the Sikasso region resulted in the signing of a contract for 96.5 tonnes.
• The partnership between PNPR-M and ASCOMA has increased demand for sustainable rice. Supported by the Slow Food Mali movement, awareness-raising activities facilitated the introduction of locally produced organic SRP/PGS rice to restaurants and hotels. In 2024, tasting workshops and radio programmes organised with the National Federation of Industry and Catering Trades helped to promote the taste and environmental benefits of sustainable rice more effectively.
• The organic and local market in Mali, launched by the NGO AMSD, has become a space to promote agroecological products. PGS-certified rice sells for 750 FCFA/kg, of which 600 FCFA/kg goes to the producers^[1], almost double the price of uncertified rice. Around 20% of the additional profits generated by this high-end rice are reinvested to help AMSD and ASCOMA promote PGS rice to consumers.

“Improving policies and governance to scale sustainable rice farming.” ‍

• In 2023, Rikolto co-financed with CIV/GIZ a workshop in Baguindela to review the provisional version of the National Rice Development Strategy (SNDR III). The comments made served to make the document more inclusive and relevant, and to inform the finalisation of the document integrating the promotion of sustainable production under the SRP model.
• To promote the PGS Bio Local, a national certification committee (CNAC-Mali) was set up by Humundi, with technical support from Rikolto for rice. In 2023 the label PGS Bio Local label has been officially registered by the Malian Center for the Promotion of Industrial Property (CEMAPI) for cereal, animal and vegetable production.
• With the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, IFRIZ-M has started a collaboration with the National Bank for Agricultural Development (BNDA) in order to offer financial products better suited to the needs of actors in the value chain. Three formulas are now available: the OPA Pack, the Affiliate Producer Pack and the PMEA Pack. These are intended for farmers' organisations, individual producers, and small businesses, respectively.

^{[1] Normally the price varies between 300 and 400 FCFA}