Madagascar - The challenges of agro-livestock farming

Livestock farming contributes to the income of 601,300 Malagasy households. Its growing importance is noteworthy, particularly for dairy farming and urban poultry farming. Beekeeping and sericulture are also gaining ground in certain regions.

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Livestock farming

Livestock farming is a vital sector for the country's economy, involving over 701,300 rural households in Madagascar. After rice, it is the second most important agricultural resource for the rural population, but it has faced serious difficulties for several years due to the epizootic diseases that periodically affect the country and severely impact livestock production. Livestock farms, mostly managed using traditional methods, consist of zebu cattle, local breed chickens, and pigs. Through its many functions, livestock farming is a key activity: animals represent short- and medium-term savings, a source of food, and agricultural labor. Furthermore, owning zebu cattle is a sign of wealth and confers a certain social status on its owner. The government is focusing on promoting cattle breeding and improving the breed to produce zebu cattle weighing 500 to 600 kg within three years.

Dairy production

National milk production in 2019 reached 100 million liters, according to Madagascar Dairy Broad, which estimates the number of dairy cattle in the country at 90,000. However, the demand is estimated at over 140 million liters per year. More than 801,000 TPH (thousand metric tons) of Madagascar's milk production is generated in the "dairy triangle," located southwest of Antananarivo, primarily in the Vakinankaratra region, whose capital is Antsirabe. Therefore, the Malagasy government will import 1,000 dairy cows to address the shortage in milk production within the country. The Ministry aims to support farmers and livestock breeders in the Vakinankaratra, Analamanga, and Itasy regions.

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Honey

A honey processing unit has been established for honey produced by 188 beekeepers from the 18 communes of the city and its surrounding areas. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the "Fihariana" program, launched by President Andry Rajoelina, and economic operators such as the company "Senteurs et Saveurs de Madagascar (SSM)." The project provides technical support and the necessary funding to local beekeepers to improve honey quality and increase their production capacity. Funding under this program amounts to 1,297,700,000 ariary. It will create 564 jobs for beekeepers and increase honey production in the regions by up to 160 tons, thanks to the funding of 3,760 beehives with a production capacity of 600 liters each, allowing for three harvests per year per beekeeper.

Poultry farming

Traditionally, raising and selling Malagasy chicken was the domain of women. Modern poultry farming is essential to meet the growing demand for white meat and eggs in urban areas. In the suburbs of the capital, Antsirabe, Mahitsy, and Ankazobe raise 871,000 laying hens and 93,401,000 broiler chickens, representing 871,000 of the national flock. In the provinces, the urban communes of Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Toamasina, Fianarantsoa, and Toliara raise laying hens. Semi-industrial farms have been established in the urban areas of Sambava, Nosy Be, Taolagnaro, Manakara, and Morondava. The two rural communes of Mahitsy account for 231,000 improved breed laying hens.

The State, through the Fihariana program, intends to develop the poultry sector and train truly qualified professionals in Madagascar. The Akoho Nakà project is among those with the largest number of funding providers under this program. It also aims to improve farmers' incomes and promote job creation.

Sericulture

Madagascar has a long tradition of sericulture based on the harvesting of wild silkworms and the breeding of mulberry silkworms, imported around 1840. While silk from the Big Island is a niche market, it is growing. Malagasy silk, particularly the excellent quality of its wild silk, is highly prized. Silk production encompasses a wide range of crafts, all of which are mastered by Malagasy artisans. On the global market, the Malagasy silk industry still occupies a very small share, representing only a few dozen tons of silk out of a global production of approximately 80,000 tons. Investing in this sector is advantageous not only for profits but also for the modernization and revitalization of the breeding of short-cycle species.