By Mara Schechter
Rice is the main batch culture of Madagascar, eaten at almost every meal. Auto rice, which is grown in the province of Toamasina near lake Alaotra, is named after the farmer who discovered the it. Rice, a light pink colour, smells like cinnamon, clove and nutmeg nails, is very nutritious and yields are double that of other varieties. Auto rice breaks also less when crushed, helps reduce post harvest losses and the increase in the incomes of farmers.
Rice is the main batch culture of Madagascar. (Photo credit: Bernard Pollack)Auto yields are also high for another reason - farmers use intensive region system, or system of rice Intensification (SRI) to grow. SRI practices include transplanting when they are very young people and their growing widely spaced, addition of organic compost in the soil, weed regularly and with a minimum amount of water instead of flooding of the fields. This allows to create deep roots systems are better able to withstand drought, also increase yields, the building of the plant and improve its flavour.
Malagasy farmers succeeded in growth not only rice, but in the sale, as well. Farmers in cooperative of Koloharena (KH), which is a national network of local groups, began to sell their rice to the food of Lotus in 2009. Farmers jointly purchased the equipment, including the weeders and organic fertilizer, the scale of production for the company. Koloharena means "to preserve our heritage", and the households participating in KH conservation integrate their farming methods. With the help of SRI to grow rice car, KH farmers have reduced the need for expensive and pesticides fertilizers and they made their most productive land without harming the environment.
Mara Schechter is a student on the nutrient research project of the world.
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Tags: CIIFAD • Cornell International Institute for Food Agriculture and development e rice indigenous vegetables • indigenous vegetables • cooperative Koloharena lake Alaotra • Lotus Foods • Madagascar • rice SRI • system of rice Intensification • region • Intensive the USAID