MADAGASCAR
Location
Madagascar is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, separated
from the southeastern coast of Africa by the Mozambique Channel.
The country extends 1,600 km from north to south and up to 570 km
wide. Its area totals 587,041 km2, which makes it the fourth
largest island in the world. The climate varies by region: coastal
areas are warm, humid and tropical, while the inland region enjoys
temperate conditions; the south is almost always dry.
Agricultural sector
Agriculture is a mainstay of Madagascar's economy, accounting
for more than one fourth of GDP, contributing 70 % of export
earnings and employing about 80 % of the population. However,
because of the mountainous terrain, only 5 % of Madagascar is
farmed. The chief food crop is rice, which is grown on about one
half of the agricultural land. Other important food crops are
cassava, sweet potatoes, fresh vegetables, bananas, maize and
beans. Leading export crops are vanilla, cloves, fruits, cocoa,
sugarcane, coffee, sisal and cotton (FAO, 14.07.2006).
Overview of organic farming
Madagascar's organic sector remains very small. Only about 129
hectares are under organic cultivation, which accounts for less
than 0.005 % of the total agricultural area (IFOAM & FiBL
2006). Several attempts to develop a commercial organic sector in
Madagascar have foundered because of poor quality produce, poor
communication between buyers and sellers, non-competitive prices
and high transport costs. Another obstacle, that continues to
inhibit growth, is the general lack of awareness about
certification and logistical requirements (IFOAM 2003). Improving
the situation of Malagasy organic agriculture requires further
investment in training, market information and certification
capacity.
Key organic products
Main organic exports from Madagascar include cocoa, sugar,
coffee, palm oil, processed fruits, pepper and vanilla. In
addition, Malagasy farmers grow a variety of organic spices and
herbs on a small scale such as cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cloves,
chillies, nutmeg and essential oils (IFOAM 2003). A number of
companies have made several attempts to produce and export organic
fresh fruits and vegetables from Madagascar. However, until now,
virtually all failed to succeed (FAO/ITC/CTA 2001). Small-scale
farmers produce most organic products, while commercial companies
are active in processing, grading and exporting.
The network
The main organic organisation in Madagascar is PROMABIO. Founded
in 1993 by three entrepreneurs under the name PROBIOMAD, it has now
expanded to include 15 members (IFOAM 2003). PROMABIO is a member
of IFOAM. The association aims to represent the interests of its
members by following its main objectives of promoting organic
agriculture, supporting producers, processors and exporters of
organic products and developing the brand name " PROMABIO ".
PROMABIO
Trade group of organic agriculture operators
Coordinator: Rolland Rambotiana
B.P. 1348
101 Antananarivo, Madagascar
Tel./Fax: + 261 20 22 259 14
Email: phaelflor@dts.mg
Website:http://www.madabio.info
External Support
The Madagascar organic agriculture sector has been receiving
support from the following external organisations amongst
others:
Centre for the
Development of Enterprise (CDE)
Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific
Liaison Committee (COLEACP)
Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO)
GTZ/Protrade
(Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit)
International Trade
Centre (ITC)
International
Federation of Organic Agriculture Movement (IFOAM)
U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID)
References
- IFOAM & FiBL (2006): The World of Organic Agriculture.
Statistics and Emerging Trends 2006. International Federation of
Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM), Bonn & Research
Institute of Organic Agriculture FiBL, Frick, pp. 27-35.
- IFOAM (2003): Organic and Like-Minded Movements in Africa.
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM),
Bonn, pp.102-108.
- FAO, 14.07.2006: Key Statistics of Food and Agriculture
External Trade. Food and Agricultural Organization of the United
Nations (FAO), Statistics Division. URL:
www.fao.org/es/ess/toptrade/trade.asp?dir=exp&country=3&ryear=2004
and www.fao.org/es/ess/top/country.html?lang=en
- FAO/ITC/CTA (2001): World Markets for Organic Fruit and
Vegetables. International Trade Centre (ITC), Technical Centre for
Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome 2001.