FAO/GIEWS: Africa Report 10/96

MADAGASCAR

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Area: 582 000 sq.km
Climate: Eastern coast is tropical wet, the rest tropical wet-dry. Rains in October-March; tropical cyclones.
Population: 14.7 million (1996 estimate); G.N.P. per caput: U.S.$ 230 (1994)
Specific characteristics of the country: Low-income food-deficit country
Logistics: Dilapidated roads and lack of spare parts and tyres
Major foodcrops: Rice, roots, tubers, maize, fruit
Marketing year: April/March; Lean season: February/March
Share of cereals in total calorie intake: 60 percent

CURRENT SITUATION

The 1995/96 main season harvest is now virtually complete. Following abundant and relatively well distributed rainfall in most of the growing areas of the country, the production of paddy, the major foodcrop, is estimated at some 2.5 million tons. This is above-average and over last year’s relatively good crop. However, yields remain low as in the past several years, given watershed degradation and inadequate irrigation infrastructure maintenance. Maize output is expected to reach 164 000 tons, which is also above-average. The favourable rainfall activity also benefited other crops such as cassava and potatoes.

The food supply situation in the 1996/97 marketing year is expected to improve considerably. The country is expected to cover most of its rice needs, reducing considerably the import requirements. In drought prone areas of the south, cereal, vegetables and fruit supply have been abundant since May and prices are relatively low compared to the previous year. However, a major problem for marketing activities in the south and many parts of the country remains the poor state of transportation which makes it difficult to move goods from surplus to deficit areas.