“Madagascar is an island in the southwestern Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. The topography of the country is varied and uneven, with some regions dominated by plains and plateaus extending into vast delta areas. Only about 5 percent of the land area is cultivated at any given time, of which 16 percent is irrigated. In addition to providing livelihoods for two-thirds of the population, agriculture contributes 29 percent of Madagascar’s GDP.
Most farmers practice subsistence agriculture, growing rice, cassava, bananas, maize, and sweet potatoes. Yields are generally low and not keeping up with population growth. Extreme weather events threaten agricultural productivity.”
