Agriculture forms the primary pillar of the Malagasy economy. Nearly 80% of the active population are farmers. Rice — the staple food of the Malagasy people — is cultivated in every corner of arable land. Malagasy rice is of higher quality than the imported Asian rice consumed by most of the population. Cassava comes second, as it supplements rice as a source of carbohydrates during lean seasons. This tuber, from which tapioca is derived (better known in the West), is increasingly being valorised. Other cash crops have earned Madagascar worldwide renown, including vanilla, cloves, pepper, and coffee.
In terms of livestock, zebu cattle provide the main meat consumed on the island, ahead of pork and chicken. In coastal regions, fishing takes precedence over livestock farming. After agriculture, tourism is the leading source of foreign currency in Madagascar. Although still less developed compared to its Indian Ocean neighbours, Malagasy tourism has seen remarkable growth in recent years.
The mining sector also deserves special attention, as major Canadian mining companies are the most active in exploiting ilmenite, titanium, nickel, uranium, and other resources on the island.