The diversity
and the multiple ecological conditions make the
Malagasy agriculture an exceptional entity. The
agriculture part in the GNP is 41 %.
On the 52.8
million hectares of the country 6 are devoted to
the agricultural activities. Half of this
surface is permanently exploited.
Cultures for exportation:
- Cotton : it is essentially found in
the North-western (Mahajanga) and the South (Tuléar)
areas. A great
opportunity lies in the possible extension
of surfaces to be cultivated.
-Sisal : this plant is cultivated for its
fibers and is found in the Southern
part of the island. Much available land
still
remains to be utilized.
There is an
great
demand for the sisal of Madagascar.
- Cane sugar : it is cultivated
essentially in the Northern and Eastern
areas. As the use of
clean energies is constantly required, this
culture has a promising future.
- Lychees : the main area
for this fruit is around Toamasina, they
account for 97 % of the fruit exports and
nearly three quarters are exported to the
European Union. Conservation
technologies are opportunities to gain in
this fields.
- Vanilla
: is cultivated especially in the North-East
area, SAVA. The
Malagasy vanilla, as well as wild Bourbon,
holds an important place in the world market.
- Clove : this spice accounts for 96 % of
the cultivated surfaces in the Mahajanga and
Toamasina areas. Nearly 14.000 tons are produced
each year. Clove is exploited not only as a
spice, but also to extract essential principles.
- Pepper : this spice is
cultivated almost everywhere in the island (except
in the deep South). Madagascar is
internationally famous for its green pepper, but
also for the black and the white pepper.
- Tea : it is mainly cultivated in
the Fianarantsoa (Sahambavy) area. The Malagasy
tea is very appreciated and the production can
still considerably developed.
- Essences and essential oils :
more than 80 % of the Malagasy plants are
endemic, this feature makes essential oils
extracted from this plants unique. They are
known for their medicinal and therapeutic
effects.
Opportunities in breeding and fishing :
As the request
in dairy products is in constant increase the
breeding of milk cow appears to be an
opportunity sector.
The sericiculture (breeding
of silkworm) is done by peasants groupings and
professionals. The produced silk is of very high quality
and the offer is not able to satisfy an increasing
request.
The bee-keeping
(breeding of bees) becomes increasingly
interesting according to the local and
international request.
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