Mali, November 24 -- On the website of the Prime Minister, in 2009, it was written that the rice initiative is the initiative of the
Prime Minister (Modibo Sidibé).
Why a rice initiative coming from a son from the South and finally it is a crop reserved for an elite of peasants who
requires a lot of money. After a serious analysis of the press articles on the rice initiative, our analysis
brings out truths that are beyond the comprehension of the poor citizen that we are
First, the cost of the project: 42.65 billion CFA francs, distributed as follows:
Inputs and advisory support: CFAF 10.71 billion
Seed: 200 million FCFA;
Farmers' organizations: 701 million CFA francs,
San pumping plain station: 32 million FCFA;
Purchase of 200 motorcycles: 325 million FCFA.
The funds of the Rice Initiative operation were domiciled at the National Bank for Agricultural Development (BNDA).
The Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), the Development Bank of Mali (BDM-sa),
Ecobank, Banque Internationale du Mali (BIM-sa) and Banque régionale de Solidarité (BRS) took part in the
consultation meeting in Ségou under the leadership of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Abou-Bakar Traoré.
We could not get the list of banks that financed the project. When we talk about intensive crops, he
we need great means and who says financial means speaks of the State, of funds and of dedicated people. This is how
we have found names well hidden under the label Initiative riz.
Inputs and advisory support 10.71 billion FCFA which could go to Toguna-Agro-industry. Br Nerica rice for 200 million FCFA would be in Bakary Togola, president of APCAM, a pilot farmer but
became by necessity the official spokesman of ATT and its government, 701 million FCFA for
peasant organizations were always Bakary Togola.
Purchases of equipment included in the rice, motorcycles, machinery and machinery initiative were the subject of tender notices
which have been submitted to the Minister of Economy and Finance for assessment in order to lead to the initiator of the project
of 42.65 billion FCFA.
The technical and financial partners the government was counting on to meet the 32.5
billion CFA francs did not come forward. They doubted the reliability and sincerity of the operation.
The other reason for their mistrust, failure of many reforms such as that of the cotton subsidiary, where the
The government is slow to give a new direction to this sector. Especially since the peasants complain
in the supply of agricultural inputs.