Rural Income Promotion ProgrammeRural Income Promotion Programme(621MG)(621MG)

Analanjirofo region

(Madagascar)

Source: PPRR

Madagascar Country Programme: Case Study

Director: Benoît Thierry, IFAD Country Programme ManagerEditor: Emeline Schneider, Institut Supérieur Technique d’Outre Mer

August 2007

LYCHEE COMMODITY CHAINLYCHEE COMMODITY CHAIN

Agriculture in MadagascarAgriculture in Madagascar

Rural inhabitants represent 70% of Madagascar’s total population: 80% of the population live below the poverty threshold.

Rice production is still farmers’ main activity.

Products exported from the east coast – vanilla, lychees, cloves, coffee – increase farmers’ incomes.

During the lean period, lychees represent a key source of income for rural households.

It is estimated that lychee production involves20,000 to 30,000 farming families spread over 800 km along the east coast. (AVSF, 2005)

Source : AVSF, 2005

Malagasy lycheesMalagasy lychees

Madagascar is the main world exporter to Europe.

The Malagasy lychee is the earliest on European

markets at the end-of-year period.

Conditions are ideal on the east coast,

with fresh, deep soils composed of alluvial

deposits.

Lychee production is estimated at 25,000 to 35,000

tonnes from an estimated area of 5,750 ha.

(AFDI-Drômes, 1994).

Source: PPRR

Production is still dependent upongathering. Lychee trees on the east coast receive little maintenance.

Since 2005, the Rural Income Promotion Programme (PPRR) has been working with farmers and technical centres to improve the quality and yield of this commodity chain. Source: PPRR

Rural Income Promotion Programme

Support from the PPRRSupport from the PPRR

The programme stresses production techniques (layering, fertilizing) and also supplies lychee seedlings to renew aging orchards.

The PPRR helps farmers to organize the harvest season (November to January), which involves many actors.

It is also involved in steps to obtain fair trade certification, in collaboration with Agronomes et Vétérinaires sans frontières (AVSF).

It encourages producers to respect good agricultural practices and is seeking EurepGAP certification (hygiene, producers’ working conditions etc.)

Organization of harvestingOrganization of harvesting

A major part of production is sold to collectors on the tree before harvesting.

The trees are scattered and far from collection centres, and much of the fruit is therefore not harvested, especially in the wild.

Lychees are a perishable product that must be processed quickly (by sulphuration)

Lychees must be conveyed to Exporters quickly (within 24 hours).

Sulphurated lychees (source: Max Havelaar , France)

Importers’ standard:

A healthy fruit, with a minimum diameter of 30 mm.

Sulphur residue: 250 mg/kg of dry matter in the shell, 10 mg in the pulp.

CHART OF ACTORS AND PRODUCE FLOWS CHART OF ACTORS AND PRODUCE FLOWS IN THE LYCHEE COMMODITY CHAIN: ANALANJIROFO REGIONIN THE LYCHEE COMMODITY CHAIN: ANALANJIROFO REGION

SUPPORT PROGRAMME

(PPRR)

SUPPORT PROGRAMME

(PPRR)

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK &

FISHERIES

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, LIVESTOCK &

FISHERIES

TECHNICAL CENTRE (CTHT)

TECHNICAL CENTRE (CTHT)

PRODUCERS (PLANTERS/

GATHERERS)

PRODUCERS (PLANTERS/

GATHERERS)

+ SEASONAL WORKERS

LOCAL COLLECTORS

LOCAL COLLECTORS

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

INTERNATIONAL MARKET

LOCAL MARKETSLOCAL MARKETS

WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS

WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTORS

DOMESTIC MARKETDOMESTIC MARKET

COLLECTORSCOLLECTORS

EXPORTERSEXPORTERS

PROCESSORSPROCESSORS

90% 10%

8%

2%

 Lychees: graph of prices for ToamasinaLychees: graph of prices for Toamasina(Analanjirofo region)(Analanjirofo region)

Source: Technical and Economic Information Center (CITE)

Prices vary considerably from year to year and within the same season. Prices are set by importers.

Conclusion Conclusion

Lychees can be shipped, are easy to produce and consume, and are appealing to the eye: they hold promising potential for producers on the east coast.

Technical support helps lychee planters improve quality and productivity.

Establishing good agricultural practices (EurepGAP) will ensure consumers a healthy product that is harvested and processed under sound conditions.

Note: application is being made for the inclusion of Malagasy lychees in the list of fair-trade products under the Max Havelaar label.