The government aims to sustainably revive the coffee sector in Madagascar to make it a more significant source of income for farmers and a lever for job creation, particularly for young people. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty is bringing together sector stakeholders for two days in Ankerana to lay the foundations for a national recovery program scheduled for ten years, from 2026 to 2036.
The consultation aims to provide updated data on cultivated areas, the number of producers, production volumes, markets, infrastructure, processing, exports, and financing needs. This information will be used to develop a national strategy for the sector.
“Madagascar was once a major coffee-producing country and ranked among the top in Africa,” recalled the Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, Gaëtan Ramindo, during the workshop launch on Monday. However, “today, we barely manage to meet the needs of the domestic market,” he lamented, regretting the situation all the more because “we have the necessary resources to produce coffee and revive this sector.”
According to Gaëtan Ramindo, Madagascar produced between 70,000 and 80,000 tons of coffee per year in the 1970s and 1980s, ranking third in Africa and 18th globally among exporting countries. Production has since declined sharply, to the point where local supply no longer covers domestic market needs and the country must resort to imports.
For the ministry, the revival of the sector should notably help strengthen producers’ incomes, in a context where the diversification of agricultural activities is an economic challenge for rural households. The development of the sector is also presented as a potential source of jobs, especially for young people.
The proposed strategy will have to take into account the specificities of the different production zones. “In the eastern regions, we will develop Robusta coffee, while in the central regions, we can strengthen Arabica production. Both types of coffee must be supported,” indicated Gaëtan Ramindo.
The ministry also intends to strengthen research, improve varieties, and act on quality and productivity. Discussions have reportedly already been initiated with partners and donors likely to financially support the recovery. However, the government wishes to define a clear strategy beforehand in order to direct investments towards the sector’s priorities and the interests of producers.
For two days, the consultation brings together representatives from 14 producing or concerned regions: Atsimo Atsinanana, Vatovavy, Fitovinany, Atsinanana, Analanjirofo, Ambatosoa, Sofia, Alaotra-Mangoro, Haute Matsiatra, Amoron’i Mania, Vakinankaratra, Itasy, Analamanga, and Sava.
The approach thus aims to cover the entire chain, from production to processing, including marketing and export, in order to define the conditions for a sustainable revival of the coffee sector in Madagascar.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-29 15:23:35 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.2424.mg/agriculture-le-gouvernement-entend-relancer-la-filiere-cafe-pour-augmenter-les-revenus-des-agriculteurs-et-creer-des-emplois/
