Facing market fluctuations, the State Procurement of Madagascar (SPM) is intervening directly at the source. Bags of paddy rice ready to be transported from Tanambe, as part of the purchasing campaign with producers.
In the Amparafaravola district, specifically in Tanambe, the paddy rice collection campaign began on Monday, September 14 at a rate of 1,500 ariary per kilo, an initiative aimed at securing farmers' income and regulating prices. In Tanambe, the SPM targets acquiring 700 tonnes of paddy. Operations will then expand to Andilamena, where 500 tonnes will be collected, then to Ampitatsimo (Ambatondrazaka district) for a volume of 300 tonnes. In total, the public enterprise aims to mobilize 1,500 tonnes of rice in the Alaotra-Mangoro region within three days. In Betafo, in Vakinankaratra, the planned volume for this first phase could reach 50 tonnes.
This public purchasing policy primarily allows operators to sell their production at a significantly more profitable price than the free market. "In Tanambe, the injection of these 1,500 ariary per kilo changes everything," explains Lovasoa Thierry Randriatahiana, mayor of the commune. According to the mayor, this system effectively supports agricultural households, whereas paddy was previously trading around 1,250 ariary per kilo in the locality.
Coordination
The secretary general of the Ministry of Commerce and Consumption, Jules Christian Rakotoson, recalls that the SPM plays a regulatory role here. The state company deals directly with cooperatives and farmers, supported by local authorities who manage logistics on the ground. The supervising ministry ensures strategic oversight of this government measure.
The modalities of this campaign were discussed at a roundtable on September 13. This meeting brought together the SPM's general director, Guillot Ramilison, regional elected officials, deputies, the Ambatondrazaka district chief, the regional Commerce director, and representatives from municipalities.
The operation extends beyond simple purchasing. According to the ministry's secretary general, rice acquired by the SPM will be quickly transported to processing facilities to avoid losses from prolonged storage. Partner wholesalers will then take over to ensure distribution to regions facing supply deficits, such as Atsimo-Atsinanana, Atsimo, and Antananarivo.
The Commerce Ministry intends to closely monitor the entire value chain, from initial purchase price to consumer resale. This rigorous tracking of volumes and commercial margins aims to stabilize the market and prevent speculation or stock hoarding.
In the longer term, the ministry's roadmap includes establishing a supply flow map. The objective is to precisely identify surplus production basins to quickly redirect stocks to deficit regions, thereby guaranteeing the country's food security.