Madagascar aims for an annual aquaculture production estimated at 307,000 tons over the next five years, stated the Malagasy Minister of Fisheries and Blue Economy, Paubert Mahatante Tsimanaoraty, during the official launch of the national action plan for the implementation of guidelines on small-scale maritime and inland fishing in Madagascar.
Since June 2021, his ministry has produced twelve strategic documents, including the National Strategy for Aquaculture Development for the 2024-2028 period, in collaboration with partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Bank, the African Union (AU), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
The objective of this strategy is to sustainably develop the aquaculture sector to meet the country’s growing needs, estimated at 307,000 tons of aquaculture products per year, Mahatante specified.
In 2023, Madagascar produced 39,008 tons of aquaculture products, with a distribution of 33,893 tons from marine sources and 5,115 tons from inland sources. This production represents only about 1% of Africa’s total production (2.196 million tons) and 0.03% of the global production (82.1 million tons).
According to the Malagasy official, to surpass this level, his ministry wants to promote fish farming to the same extent as poultry farming, so that it is practiced by all households in the country.
He further estimated that Madagascar positions itself as a « model » in Africa in the field of the blue economy, thanks to a « meticulously elaborated » strategy and « comprehensive strategic » documents.
