Agroecosystem and farmer practices and knowledge in Madagascar"s central highland : toward improved rice-based systems research

Research on rice and rice-based farming systems seeks improved production and restored rice self-sufficiency. With 50,000 ha of lowland rice grown in its valleys, the Central Highland is the country"s most important rice-growing region. A diagnostic survey of farmer practices and knowledge was conducted in the region as a collaborative effort by national researchers and the International Rice Research Institute. This paper synthesizes the survey results, describing rice agroecosystems, the whole- farm system, farmers" land-soil categories, rice crop management, rice cultivars, soil nutrient management, and social organization. Implications for further research are suggested. Such research would seek to build upon existing farmer practices, knowledge, and resources, and would deal with the whole-farm system, germplasm improvement, and low-input soil nutrient management. Modifications of a Food and Agriculture Organization fertilizer program are also suggested. (Author abstract)