Madagascar Island.
East Africa had established two provinces on Madagascar Island: Mahajanga Province and Toliara Province. Although these two provinces had a relatively weak presence within East Africa, in recent years their economic development had been no less impressive than that of East Africa's mainland regions.
East Africa's local investments had mainly centered on three areas: the military, mineral resources, and agriculture. Militarily, Madagascar Island held considerable strategic significance and was an important pillar supporting East Africa's control over the Mozambique Channel. Mineral resources formed the economic backbone of Mahajanga Province and Toliara Province. In recent years, East Africa had reportedly discovered oil in Mahajanga Province, further stirring its enthusiasm for developing the area.
Lastly came agriculture. Agriculture in Mahajanga Province and Toliara Province mainly consisted of irrigated farming and animal husbandry. East Africans had opened up farmland along the rivers to grow crops such as rice and cotton, while livestock farming was concentrated in Mahajanga Province, primarily cattle and sheep. Beyond that, local fishery resources were also fairly abundant.
As the East African government increased its attention toward the Kingdom of Imerina, Mahajanga Province and Toliara Province within its own territory had also once again come under scrutiny.
Minister of Agriculture Fingel reported on the current agricultural conditions in the two provinces.
"Agricultural development on Madagascar Island differs greatly from that in other parts of East Africa. Agriculture here is highly commercialized, centered around rivers and ports, much like Argentina and Brazil."
"With vast land and sparse population, it is suited to the large-ranch model. Cattle, sheep, grain, and other agricultural products can then be shipped through ports to locations along the East African East Coast. Madagascar's agricultural production areas are concentrated along riverbanks, further reducing transportation costs."
"In recent years, pig farming on Madagascar Island has grown rapidly.