Didy

Didy is a rural commune in Madagascar. It belongs to the district of Ambatondrazaka, which is a part of Alaotra-Mangoro Region. The population of the commune was estimated to be 33,039 in 2018.

Didy
Didy
Didy Location in Madagascar
Coordinates: 18°7′S 48°32′E
Country	Madagascar
Region	Alaotra-Mangoro
District	Ambatondrazaka
Government
• Mayor	Davidson Radoka
Area [1]
• Total	1,773.16 km2 (684.62 sq mi)
Elevation [2]	1,034 m (3,392 ft)
Population  (2018)[3]
• Total	33,039
Time zone	UTC3 (EAT)
Postal code	503

The town of Didy is situated at 54 km from Ambatondrazaka.^[1]

Only primary schooling is available. The majority 85% of the population of the commune are farmers, while an additional 14% receives their livelihood from raising livestock. The most important crop is rice, while other important products are maize, cassava and tomato. Services provide employment for 1% of the population.^[4]

History

In the beginning of 2012, a sapphire and ruby rush occurred 25 kilometers south-east of Didy. The rush was due to the exceptional color, clarity and size of the precious stones found there.

Discovered in alluvium, in the core of a wild forest located in the Ankeniheny-Zahamena national park, sapphires and rubies required holes from 50 centimeters to 2 meters depth to be extracted.

Following the arrival of 40,000 people on the occurrence, the government evacuated the area in June 2012 and the access was denied.