Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
Maclean et al. - 2002 - Rice almanac source book for the most important e
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MADAGASCAR, a large island east of Africa, with an area of 587,000 km 2 , consists of a<br />
centr<strong>al</strong> plateau, where <strong>most</strong> of <strong>the</strong> population of 15.5 million (1999) lives, surrounded by<br />
coast<strong>al</strong> plains on which crops such as rice are grown. Agriculture is <strong>the</strong> main activity, occupying<br />
78% of <strong>the</strong> work<strong>for</strong>ce and comprising 34% of <strong>the</strong> GDP. Arable land is 4.4% of <strong>the</strong> tot<strong>al</strong>. The<br />
plains are mainly rain<strong>for</strong>est on <strong>the</strong> w<strong>et</strong> and humid east side and grassland on <strong>the</strong> drier west<br />
side.<br />
Gener<strong>al</strong> in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
• GNI per capita PPP$, 2000: 820<br />
• Intern<strong>al</strong> renewable water re<strong>source</strong>s: 337 km 3<br />
• Main food consumed: rice, roots and tubers,<br />
meat, oil and fat, maize<br />
• <strong>Rice</strong> consumption, 1999: 91 kg milled rice<br />
per person per year<br />
Production constraints<br />
The following are <strong>the</strong> major constraints to<br />
sustainable rice production in Madagascar:<br />
• Drought in upland areas and drought and<br />
flash flood in rainfed lowland areas because<br />
of irregular wea<strong>the</strong>r<br />
• Low temperature in high plateaus, s<strong>al</strong>inity in<br />
<strong>the</strong> western coast<br />
• Disease (blast)<br />
• Shortage of water in <strong>the</strong> dry season<br />
• Irregular input supplies, especi<strong>al</strong>ly<br />
fertilizers, improved seeds, and credit<br />
• Poor maintenance of irrigation facilities<br />
• Lack of clear understanding of rice ecosystems<br />
and a well-defined rice policy<br />
• Poor road n<strong>et</strong>works and mark<strong>et</strong>ing systems<br />
• Weak research and extension support<br />
Production season<br />
Planting Harvesting<br />
Main season, plateau Oct-Nov Apr-Jun<br />
Vatomandry*, east coast Oct-Nov Jun-Jul<br />
Hosy*, east coast Apr-Jun Oct-Nov<br />
Asara*, west coast Nov Jan<br />
Atriatry*, west coast Feb May<br />
Jeby*, west coast Jul Oct<br />
*Vari<strong>et</strong>ies of rice harvested<br />
186 <strong>Rice</strong> <strong>al</strong>manac