(Ecofin Agency) - In Mali, the Canadian cooperation has just launched the Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture Project (Renforcement de l’Agriculture Irriguée – REAGIR). The initiative which will cost FCfa 40 billion will help improve food security in the regions of Mpoti and Koulikoro.

The project will last five years and enable the settlement and restoration of some 19,000 hectares of arable land, which would produce 24,800 tons of cereal crops, mainly rice and 63,400 tons of vegetables. According to APA, a special emphasis will be put on empowering women, who will be allocated 10% of total areas to be irrigated through this project.

REAGIR is one of the initiatives supporting the Community Irrigation National Program (PNIP) currently implemented by the Malian government.