Madagascar Plans to Expand Rice Acreage and Remain Among the Top African Rice Producers

Following the Cabinet meeting on 8 January 202, the Malagasy government has decided to expand the area under rice cultivation by adding another 100,000 hectares in 2025. It is projected that the new acreage dedicated to rice will add one million tonnes to the paddy rice production, representing a 25% increase over the previous crop.

If successfully implemented, the total rice production of processed rice will allow Madagascar to increase its capacity from 3.2 million tonnes to 3.7 million tonnes. It will place Madagascar as the 3rd largest rice producer in Africa, behind Nigeria and Egypt.

Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture will endeavor to boost the yield to 7-10 tonnes per hectare. In order to achieve its targets, the Government of Madagascar will put in place several measures such as farmer training, attracting FDI into the agriculture sector favoring Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Currently, Madagascar is utilizes a new hybrid rice variety which is capable of producing up to 8.5 tonnes per hectare, compared to only 2.5 tonnes per hectare for traditional varieties. In that regard, the Malagasy Government has set aside over USD 122 million to procure the high-yield hybrid rice seeds.

The program will enhance the Food Security of Madagascar where rice is a staple on the diet. It will also give an extra boost to the revenue of the many smallholder farmers employed in rice cultivation.