The agricultural market reforms experienced by most African countries in the 1990s have resulted in changes in income generation and welfare of rural households. Focusing on Madagascar, this text examines the market reforms, looking at the ways in which rural regions may have benefited.

Most African countries experienced dramatic agricultural market reforms over the 1990s. This has resulted in significant changes in the operation of the agricultural markets and, consequently, in income generation and welfare of rural households. In the case of Madagascar, the results suggest that market reforms and corresponding adjustments in rural markets have had an average positive effect on food security for the rural households. However, richer households seemed to have benefited more than the poorer households. This text provides a study of the market reforms, focusing particularly in the changes brought to welfare, income and environmental sustainability in rural areas. The study aims to be of particular interest to economists and those involved in development and environmental issues.

Market liberalization and the agricultural marketing system
conceptual framework, survey design, and sampling frame for household and community level analyses
brief description of socioeconomic situation and changes in indicators of welfare
modern input use in agriculture
factor use and agricultural productivity
marketed agricultural surplus
nonagricultural and total incomes
consumption expenditures
nutritional status and caloric and protein consumption
the critical triangle between environmental sustainability, economic growth and poverty alleviation
summary.