Madagascar’s national farmers’ organizations have issued a joint declaration calling for urgent government action to address worsening rural poverty, rising agricultural costs, and corruption in land governance.

In a statement signed by leading federations, the groups said Malagasy farmers contribute 27% of the country’s GDP, supply 75% of its food, produce 45% of processed goods, and account for 90% of exports, yet remain sidelined from national decision-making and underrepresented in economic planning.

The declaration condemned what it described as the commodification of land, including the granting of large tracts to foreign investors, and called for immediate prioritization of land rights for local communities and support for local seed systems and agricultural research.

“Peasant voices are not being heard or considered, even though they make up 74% of the population,” the statement said.

The organizations also highlighted infrastructure failures, unsustainable input prices, and a lack of support for value chains in agriculture, livestock, and fisheries.

The signatories criticized the “inefficiency of current governance” and urged stronger partnerships with producers to drive inclusive growth.

“Without farmers, there is no rural economy,” the statement concluded, demanding that agriculture be recognized as the foundation of both livelihoods and national sovereignty.