Which crops are widely grown in rural Madagascar?

Agriculture is the backbone of rural life in Madagascar, with a diverse range of crops cultivated across the island's varied regions.

• Staple Crops: Rice is the most widely grown crop, occupying the largest share of acreage. It is cultivated as dry, wet, or irrigated rice depending on the terrain. Cassava serves as a staple grown throughout the island, while corn (maize), potatoes, and yams are also significant, particularly in the central plateau and highland regions.1
• Commercial and Export Crops: Madagascar produces various crops for trade, including sugarcane, sisal, tobacco, cotton, and coffee (both robusta and arabica). The country is also known for spices and specialty crops such as vanilla, cloves, pepper, cacao, and copra.12
• Fruits and Legumes: A wide variety of fruits are grown, including bananas, pineapples, litchis, avocados, and citrus. Beans, peanuts, and lima beans (pois du cap) are also commonly cultivated.1

Agricultural practices vary from permanent irrigation in western river valleys to slash-and-burn techniques used in eastern forests.1