Constraints on Rice Cultivation in Eastern Madagascar: Which Factors Matter to Smallholders, and Which Influence Food Security?

Abstract In the eastern rainforests of Madagascar, rainfed swidden rice cultivation remains prevalent despite efforts to encourage uptake irrigated systems reduce deforestation. We used agricultural surveys with a stratified sample 171 households investigate constraints on and productivity perceived by farmers, actual yields. Irrigated plots had higher median yields (1.72 t/ha compared 0.62 t/ha), but farmers type they practised themselves as more productive, possibly reflecting differences in land suitability, experience, other constraints. While some factors, such pests water, were mentioned limit yields, access fertiliser was not frequently smallholders. Higher food security related farming, owning livestock. Conservation initiatives need target without irrigable improve deforestation, exclusively promoting cessation agriculture is neglecting its cultural value scarcity region.