Madagascar

Seed sector in Madagascar

Agriculture employs 70% of the population in Madagascar, where a wide range of food and cash crops are grown due to the country’s diverse climate, varying altitudes and variety of soils, Smallholder farmers dominate the agricultural sector, accounting for more than 95% of food produced on roughly 96% of cultivated land. More than 90% of the seeds used are farm-saved seeds of traditional varieties. The production of certified seeds is still insufficient to meet local demand.

The 1995 Seed Act outlines a division of responsibilities between the public and private sector. It leaves regulation to the public sector, which focuses on breeding and evaluating improved seed, while the formal seed sector comprises numerous institutions. The 2008 National Seed Strategy Document further built on the Seed Act, and in 2013 the National Agency for Official Seed and Plants Control (ANCOS) was established as the regulating entity for seeds in Madagascar.

The National Seeds Certifying Authority is mandated to do seed certification. Quality control is in place through ANCOS, which partners with the Malagasy Association for the Promotion of Seeds to promote quality seeds and seed policy orientation. The state-owned National Center for Applied Research on Rural Development has five research centers for rice, maize, cassava, beans and vegetables.

Observations

There are ten index companies operating in Madagascar, alongside several local companies outside of the scope of the index. Of the ten, Capstone Seeds is the only company carrying out processing activities. It is also one of only three, along with Seed Co and Technisem, that produces seed.

Seed Co and Technisem are notable for having breeding activities alongside production (for which Technisem engages smallholder farmers) without reporting any sales activities. Globally active Limagrain also breeds on the island. No companies report testing activities or extension services.