## Rice Production in Madagascar: Challenges to Self-Sufficiency

_Selected Issues Papers, April 1, 2025_

## Source details

**Canonical URL:** [Rice Production in Madagascar: Challenges to Self-Sufficiency](https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/03/31/rice-production-in-madagascar-challenges-to-self-sufficiency-565720)

## Other formats

- [Markdown version](/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/03/31/rice-production-in-madagascar-challenges-to-self-sufficiency-565720/index.md)
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## Bibliographic details
- Authors: Vaishali Ashtakala, Joanne Tan, Timila Dhakhwa, Yipei Zhang
- Published: April 1, 2025
- Series: Selected Issues Papers
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229005906.018

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### Government targets and timeline
- Malagasy government aims for self-sufficiency in rice production by 2027.
- Targets: 6 million tons in 2024 and 11 million tons by 2030.

### Main challenges identified
- Competition from cheaper imports.
- Low productivity of domestic rice cultivation.
- Climate change and natural disasters affecting production.
- Potential adverse price effects if policies are not well-targeted.

### Data and analytical approach
- Analysis utilizes historical data on tariffs and VAT to assess the impact of import competition on local markets.
- The paper assesses potential rice output under various scenarios (detailed scenario assumptions and quantitative outcomes are in the full paper).

### Key findings
- Recent production increases have occurred but are insufficient to meet stated self-sufficiency goals on current trends.
- There is significant room for improvement in rice yields.
- Import competition has measurable impacts on local market conditions, mediated by historical tariff and VAT regimes.
- Sustainable productivity enhancements are central to increasing local production without harming price stability.

### Policy implications and recommendations
- Emphasize targeted supply-side policies to bolster local production.
- Prioritize strategies that enhance productivity sustainably (for example, improvements in cultivation practices, seed technology, and resilience to climate shocks).
- Design trade and tax (tariff/VAT) measures mindful of their effects on local farmers and retail prices to avoid negative impacts on consumers or producers.

*Source: Rice Production in Madagascar: Challenges to Self-Sufficiency, Selected Issues Papers (2025).*

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## Content in this bundle

- **Rice Production in Madagascar – Challenges to Self-Sufficiency; Republic of Madagascar**
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_Source: https://www.imf.org/en/publications/selected-issues-papers/issues/2025/03/31/rice-production-in-madagascar-challenges-to-self-sufficiency-565720_