One suggestion made for improving Malagasy's tobacco situation is that 
dark tobacco production be carried on in the south alone (in the regions 
surrounding Beroroha, Fianarantsoa, and Ambalavo). Production of dark 
tobacco in the south, only, could improve quality, reduce illegal sales of dark 
tobacco, and reduce the thréats of disease and of mixing that accompany 
growth of both the dark and the new light types in the same area, 
This would make it possible to grow more light tobaccos for sale, with 
goals of increasing overseas sales and of satisfying local manufacturers, In 
addition, the growing of only one type in an area could lend itself to more 
effective cooperative marketing, not now in existence. (Some Malagasys feel 
that cooperatives could be effectively used in tobacco production and market- 
ing. About 60 percent of the Malagasys attend school, an asset in becoming 
good participating members in cooperatives.) 
It is likely that the Malagasys will make definite steps to put their 
proposed plan for tobacco into operation. The government, including agri- 
cultural extension officials, is emphasizing farmer cooperatives as a way of 
improving agricultural production and marketing. 
There is evidence, as one travels through the Plateau area, that the 
Malagasy farmers are cooperating and will do so even to a greater extent, 
in order to reach their goals for the future. 
Foreign Trade 
The United States imports a great deal of vanilla and coffee from Mada- 
gascar., Other imports from Madagascar include graphite, mica, cloves, 
clove oil, and sisal fibers. 
Value of U.S. exports to Madagascar is only about one-fifth of the value 
imported from the island. U.S. exports include aircraftand parts, automotive 
vehicles and parts, machinery and electrical apparatus, grease, and lubri- 
cating oils. In 1962, Madagascar took a relatively small amount of manu- 
factured tobacco products (67,000 pounds) from the United States. 
France takes about 56 percent of Malagasy total exports in terms of 
value, and supplies the country with over 70 percent of total imports, France 
in 1962, had a favorable balance of trade of almost $40 million. 
Tobacco Export Trade.--France has beenthe main buyer of Madagascar's 
tobacco; Maryland type has constituted the bulk of all exports. Maryland 
tobacco has been fermented and packed under S.E.I.T.A. supervision. 
Operations of the tobacco industry and foreign trade in Madagascar have 
been greatly influenced by the French Tobacco Monopoly (S.E.I.T.A.). 
‘In 1956, the first domestic tobacco manufacturing plant (Société Anonyme 
des Cigarette Mélia de Madagascar) (SACIMEN) beganoperations in Antsirabe,. 
The Melia Tobacco Company of Algiers was the parent company of SACIMEN., 
Some of the Antsirabe plant's tobacco needs have been supplied by Malagasy 
tobacco. 
