The programme intends to implement, through the building of a fixed weir on the Bani (main river of Niger), the development and cultivation of some 20,000 ha of controlled flood irrigated crops among which some 16,000 ha are dedicated to rice growing, another 4,000 ha are allocated to livestock activities by the management of a floodplain (bourgou), and about 500 ha are allocated to fisheries.
The first phase of the Programme consists of infrastructure development (Talo dam on the Bani river, dikes and first part of infrastructure for an amount of 25 Meuro for the works), agricultural and rural development support, improvement of living standard of local Bani population, women specific activities, development and implementation of a management structure,
Implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan.  
The project has been suspended from 2002 to 2005 to allow the Malian Administration to sensitize downstream populations and to better identify and mitigate any negative environmental and social impacts.