USAID Hay Tao Activity: Study on the Maize Value Chain

Maize production in the Menabe Antimena and Ankarafantsika protected areas (PAs) has increased sharply, with yields ranging from 1 to 10 tons per hectare. The majority of maize production is intended for sale, with 61.65% of production in the study areas destined for the market. The maize value chain in Madagascar is characterized by a complex network of actors, including farmers, collectors, processors, and industrial units. The study highlights the importance of formal contracts between actors to ensure the sale of products at agreed-upon prices. The rationalization and development of processed products have encouraged processors to work with farmers, organized in agricultural cooperatives, resulting in improved farmers' income and increased commitment to environmental conservation. Maize cultivation is the main income-generating activity for farmers in the Menabe Region, with 78.9% of farmers engaged in maize cultivation during the peak season. However, the lack of improved seeds and technical assistance has hindered the development of sustainable maize cultivation practices. The study recommends promoting the development of sustainable maize cultivation by making each actor more responsible and promoting the comparative advantages of the region. The maize sector benefits from a significant demand on the national market, with self-consumption observed throughout the year in rural areas. However, the quality and quantity of production are constrained by the lack of improved seeds and inputs, resulting in yields lower than the national average. The current situation is marked by the insufficiency of local supply, with most maize processors importing products from abroad. To address the challenges of developing the maize value chain while preserving the environment, the study recommends clearly delineating controlled-use areas (ZOCs) and sustainable-use areas (ZUDs) to limit the destruction of core areas. It also suggests promoting the development of sustainable maize cultivation by making each actor more responsible and supporting producers through technical assistance to gather into cooperatives. The study highlights the importance of establishing contractual relationships between actors, including formal or non-formal contracts, to ensure the sale of products at agreed-upon prices. It also recommends designing spatial development plans at different levels to ensure optimal development of areas and structuring the maize sector to overcome its opportunistic nature and consolidate its status as a promising, regulated value chain through the establishment of a traceability mechanism. The study was conducted through surveys of actors in the maize value chain in the Menabe and Boeny Regions, particularly in the PAs of Menabe Antimena and Ankarafantsika. The study was designed and carried out through the support of the USAID Hay Tao project and its partners, with the aim of identifying strategies to develop a sustainable maize value chain in the Menabe Region and facilitating USAID Mikajy's interventions aimed at improving natural resources management and enhancing the population's living conditions. The study's findings and recommendations are intended to inform policy and decision-making at the national and regional levels, with the ultimate goal of promoting sustainable development and improving the living conditions of the population in the Menabe Region.