Seasonal Energy Deficiency of Rural Rice Farmers in Madagascar

Abstract

This study examines the effect of seasonality by utilizing original individual, household level energy intake panel dataset of three rounds of surveys from rural lowland farmers in the Central Highlands in Madagascar. Household’s food consumption revealed by 24-hour recall was converted to energy intake per person using adult male equivalent measure. We employed a fixed effects model and found that seasonally significantly affects negatively on energy intake and energy sufficiency rate during lean season. In lean season, farmers tend to substitute roots and tubers for rice, and they are more likely to depend on purchased food.