Agriculture for Development: relevance and limitations at the level of rural households. A comparative dynamic approach for three regions of Madagascar ; L'Agriculture pour le Développement : pertinence et limites à l'échelle des ménages ruraux. Une approche dynamique comparative pour trois régions ...
The case of Madagascar illustrates the agriculture-based countries, which hold many promises but encounter stagnant agricultural performance and rural poverty. The integration of smallholders to market is one of the options to emerge from poverty. Contexts and opportunities, however, can vary from one area to another and qualify the impact of market integration. How, in these different contexts, agriculture can contribute to the development of rural communities? The thesis compares three areas of Madagascar: Alaotra (Middle East), Farafangana (South East) and Ambovombe (South), relying on the analytical frame of livelihoods, to refine the understanding of development processes driven by agriculture. Typologies are established. The results show that natural capital remains a key factor in better integration, but other assets developed by households differ depending on existing opportunities. Moreover, although all groups of households always prioritize selfconsumption, even in cash crops areas; income is more volatile for 'integrated' households. Finally, impacts on agricultural wages is observable only under favorable market conditions. In any case, capital accumulation (natural, material) for agricultural activity remain predominant and determine household'strategies. Beyond the pursuit of improved agricultural productivity, the priorities must therefore differ from one area to another: agriculture can be a driving force in circumstances such as those found in Alaotra but it can not be in those characterizing Ambovombe, where agriculture maintained thanks to incomes from public and private transfers, and where support should be directed towards other sectors which, in their turn, can develop agriculture. ; Le cas de Madagascar illustre bien les pays à base agricole, à potentiels multiples mais à performances agricoles stagnantes et à population rurale pauvre. L'intégration de ses petits producteurs aux marchés figure parmi les options de sortie de la pauvreté proposées. Les contextes et les opportunités peuvent ...