The Malagasy agricultural sector remains fragile, with several factors hindering its momentum. The International Fair for Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries served as a platform to highlight these bottlenecks.
Behind the more than 220 exhibition stands at the International Fair for Agriculture, which opened yesterday at the Ivato International Conference Center (CCI), discussions on the future of the agricultural sector are in full swing. Analysts have addressed the issue of local processing, noting that while Madagascar’s agricultural potential is high, a large portion of produce is still sold in its raw state, resulting in very low value-added. Meanwhile, imported agri-food products are flooding the market, leading to job losses and further weakening the sector.
Tatamiarisoa Manankoraisina Landry, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industrialization and Private Sector Development, emphasized that building solid agri-food systems requires not just factories, but a consistent supply of quality raw materials. This sentiment is echoed by economic operators.
Danil Ismaël, CEO of the Inviso Group, stated, “Without raw materials, there is no industry! By massively importing rice and sugar, the state is effectively subsidizing Indian, Pakistani, and Brazilian farmers. Why not use a portion of these billions of ariary to subsidize our own farmers? If we do, local processing will happen naturally.” He added that raw materials must be available year-round, a recurring challenge in Madagascar where farmers struggle to meet even local demand.
This situation undermines the competitiveness of Malagasy products. Additional challenges include energy and infrastructure deficits, lack of financing, and insufficient structural programs. Furthermore, massive waste occurs due to a lack of storage and preservation facilities, while access to quality inputs and modern technology remains limited, leaving the sector vulnerable to climate change.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture is implementing strategies to secure production and improve energy access through partnerships for mechanization, irrigation, seed distribution, and storage. Arsène Rabarison, Secretary General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, added that the government aims to support cooperatives and foster fair partnerships between producers and factories.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the sector accounts for 23% to 26% of Madagascar’s GDP. When including the entire value chain, such as the agri-food industry, this figure rises to nearly 43%, according to a March 2025 World Bank strategic document. Thus, local processing is a strategic path for Madagascar to secure its food sovereignty, provided the means and political will are present.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-11 06:08:47 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/secteur-agricole-des-obstacles.html
