In the Office du Niger's zone of operations, below the Markala barrage, average annual rice production varies around 170,000 tons of paddy, with an average yield of 1,059 kg./year. Consumption per person per year was estimated in 1971-72 at 168 kg. of cereals, of which 24 kg. was rice, in Mali. In 1973, 40,000 tons of rice were imported.