Dr. Kouloumégué Dembélé, CEO of Mali's Cotton Development Corporation (CMDT), has continued his tour of the country, visiting Kita on November 2, 2026. This marks his first visit to the region as CEO, aiming to kick-start the 2026-2027 cotton marketing and ginning campaign. The visit follows previous stops in Fana, Dioïla, and Koutiala.
Upon arrival, Dr. Dembélé was warmly received by Kita's Governor, Daouda Maïga. The Governor expressed the region's high hopes for the CMDT and pledged his support for the mission. The CMDT delegation then met with local notables to exchange greetings and receive their blessings.
Dr. Dembélé is accompanied on his tour by several high-ranking officials, including Honorable Mohamed Albachar Touré, president of the CNT's Rural Development, Environment, Sanitation, and Water Commission, and Aboubacary Daffé, the commission's rapporteur. Other members of the delegation include Tiassé Coulibaly, representing the Malian Cotton Producers' Confederation, and Vamara Sanogo, director of the organization.
The CMDT team met with local partners at the Kita regional office, where they discussed challenges facing the cotton industry. Producers, transporters, oilseed processors, laborers, suppliers, and security companies shared their concerns and proposed solutions. Issues raised included the availability of agricultural inputs, delayed payments, and the collection and transportation of cottonseed to ginning plants.
Dr. Dembélé addressed the current state of the CMDT and assured stakeholders that their concerns and proposals would be examined. He emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with partners to find suitable solutions. The meeting allowed the CMDT to connect with the realities faced by those working in the cotton industry.
The visit highlights the significance of the cotton sector to Mali's economy and the efforts being made to address challenges facing the industry. The CMDT plays a vital role in supporting cotton production and marketing in the country. By engaging with local stakeholders, the CMDT aims to improve its services and better support the needs of producers and other industry players.
The CMDT's tour of the country is expected to continue, with further visits planned to other regions. The corporation's efforts to engage with stakeholders and address industry concerns are seen as crucial to the success of the cotton marketing and ginning campaign. Key issues, such as the availability of inputs and timely payments, will likely remain a focus for the CMDT in the coming season.
Key points
- The CMDT CEO's visit to Kita aims to address cotton industry concerns and improve collaboration with local stakeholders.
- The visit is part of a broader tour of the country to engage with producers, transporters, and other industry players.
- The CMDT plays a vital role in supporting Mali's cotton production and marketing.
