22 February - Rice production threatened

Rice production threatened

The Mangoro Alaotra region has suffered greatly from Hurricane Ivan. 15000 hectares of rice fields were flooded. Growers have a lot to do to get out.
 
The movement is no possible by canoe to reach both ends of Antanambe. The town was cut off during the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Producers have to worry. The Hurricane Ivan could jeopardize the rice-growing season of 2008. Much of the extent of the Rice Lake Alaotra was hit by the flood. Seedlings seem not to bear the long-term immersion. This can significantly affect production this season.

The failure of dikes for protection and the collapse of some dams has caused enormous damage. Regional managers are reporting an area of 15000 hectares of rice fields flooded, as an estimate. And the balance may grow in the coming days. The reports are steadily converging to the office of chief Alaotra region-Mangoro.

In the district of Ambatondrazaka, over 30% of rice fields in the valley are flooded . The rice seedlings planted a few weeks ago are totally immersed. "There is very little chance to save the rice crop, unless the waters drain sooner," says Christian Rabearihanta, president of the federation of peasants in the valley Mariane. "The next harvest is likely to be compromised," says he.

At Amparafaravola, waters overflowed from the Sahamaloto dam. The flooding has severely affected the surrounding rice fields. "This kind of incident occurs rarely in the area. The latest dated back to 1958 and 1972, "says David Alexander Robinson, head of the region Alaotra-Mangoro.

Short Cycle
So far, no local officials can evaluate the surface damaged by the overflow from the  Sahamaloto dam. In many cases, the breakdown of protective embankments has aggravated the situation. The dam located in Marofinaritra, in the municipality of Ambohijanahary to Amparafaravola transferred Monday. In addition to the flooding of paddy fields, several villages located downstream are temporarily abandoned. Residents are forced to flee the lower area, leaving behind stocks of rice, often estimated at a few tons of paddy, and the means of production such as tillers, tractors, ploughs.

Questioned on the future of rice cultivation for the 2008 season, local authorities remain optimistic. "The rice plants have a capacity of resistance of a week. After this time, it no longer can expect much and we must start all over again, "says Jean Louis Robinson, Health Minister

Box
The rice granary threatened
362000 tons of rice produced in 2007, the region of Alaotra-Mangoro, the first rice granary of Madagascar, might not beat the record of last year in view of the prevailing situation.
The silting, the strong current of water and rotting plants threaten production for the next harvest.
According to the statistics, the region Alaotra-Mangoro hitherto provides 30% of national production of rice annually, or an average of 350000 tonnes. The bulk of the quantity supplied is intended to resupply the local market. A portion is reserved for export.