CGIAR Leaders in Madagascar: Strategic Partnership for Agricultural Transformation
- Mar 30
- 4 min read
Antananarivo, February 24, 2026, Madagascar hosted an unprecedented gathering of global agricultural research leadership from February 24 to March 1. Directors from five CGIAR Centers—AfricaRice, IITA, ILRI, CIP, and ICRISAT— engaged with Madagascar's government, the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), international and national research institutions, and farmers to accelerate agricultural transformation and food security.
This strategic gathering aimed to better align science, policy and investment around Madagascar’s most pressing agricultural challenges. Discussions with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock focused on strengthening collaboration in agricultural and livestock research to enhance sustainable production, increase farmers’ incomes and support national food self-sufficiency and economic recovery.
Key outcomes include commitments to strengthen nutrition systems, scale up research innovations and technologies, improve animal health, promote agribusiness development and address climate change impacts. Participants also agreed to deepen collaboration through joint programs with the Malagasy government and its partners, strengthen coordination and technical support, and establish annual review meetings to monitor progress and reinforce partnerships, particularly with national institutions such as FOFIFA and FIFAMANOR.
On February 26, the University of Antananarivo hosted a national scientific seminar titled “Resilient Food Systems Facing Climate Change.” The event brought together students, researchers, policymakers and development partners to explore how science can transform rural livelihoods.
This scientific seminar, held at the DEGS Amphitheater of the University of Antananarivo, brought together nearly 500 students, faculty members, researchers, technical partners and policymakers around the theme: “Resilient food systems facing the effects of climate change: perspectives from national and international research.”
The scientific panel brought together the Directors General and regional leaders of several CGIAR centers (IITA, AfricaRice, ICRISAT, CIP and ILRI), alongside the Director General of FOFIFA, to discuss scientific priorities and solutions for strengthening food system resilience in Madagascar.
Discussions highlighted several key areas, including:
integrated farming systems and genetic innovations adapted to tropical environments (IITA)
climate-smart rice varieties and trade-offs between productivity and emission reduction (AfricaRice)
agricultural resilience in dryland areas and climate risk management (ICRISAT)
the strategic role of roots and tubers for food security and nutrition (CIP)
During the seminar, it was noted that nearly 40 percent of food consumption in Africa depends on roots and tubers, underscoring the importance of these crops for dietary diversity, nutrition and the resilience of farming systems in the face of climate shocks.
On February 28, the delegation travelled to Antsirabe for field visits with MINAE, MESUPRES, FOFIFA, FIFAMANOR and local farmers. These visits provided an opportunity to observe agricultural innovations in action and identify strategic priorities for strengthening Madagascar’s national agricultural research system.
The field mission provided insight into the tangible impact of research innovations developed in partnership with national institutions. Several agricultural technologies are already being adopted by farmers in rural areas of the Antsirabe region.
For example, the FOFIFA 198 rice variety developed in collaboration with AfricaRice and certified by the Official Seed Control Service (SOC)is appreciated by farmers for its tolerance to flooding and cold conditions, as well as its high yield potential.
In Tsivatrinikamo, seed producer Théo Rabritonirina explained that increased production on his three hectares of rice fields has helped improve his income and living conditions.
The delegation also visited the facilities of FOFIFA and FIFAMANOR, as well as the “Innovation Park.” Products developed through this innovation park are expected to soon supply school feeding programs in five nearby public primary schools.
Discussions also highlighted the growing role of food processing and value addition in creating new economic opportunities for farmers.
CGIAR's Track Record in Madagascar
The partnership between CGIAR and Madagascar isn't new, but it's intensifying. Across the country, CGIAR Centers are already delivering measurable impact:
AfricaRice is developing climate-resilient rice varieties, modernizing post-harvest processing, strengthening seed systems, and promoting mechanization—improving rice quality, nutrition, and farmer economics.
CIP has introduced orange-fleshed sweetpotato as well as biofortified potato varieties, strengthened seed systems, supported local processing, and promoted nutrition-sensitive agricultural practices.
IITA trains thousands of farmers in cassava and maize production while incubating youth-led agricultural enterprises.
ILRI supports Madagascar's Livestock Master Plan and innovations in animal feed.
ICRISAT introduces resilient sorghum, millet, and groundnut varieties in arid and semi-arid zones.
These interventions are strengthening productivity, resilience, nutrition, and farmer incomes nationwide.
A Roadmap for Agricultural Transformation
The week’s intensive engagements culminated in discussions toward a joint roadmap for Madagascar’s agricultural transformation. The framework addresses the full spectrum of food system challenges: modernizing national agricultural research infrastructure, accelerating the journey of innovations from lab to field, strengthening climate resilience across farming systems, promoting sustainable natural resource management, transforming strategic value chains from production to market, and improving food and nutrition security for current and future generations.
Discussions also emphasized the importance of strengthening public investment in scientific research, agricultural infrastructure and innovation systems to accelerate the adoption of available technologies.
A Partnership for Future Generations
Madagascar faces mounting pressures, including climate variability, resource constraints and food insecurity, but also holds significant agricultural potential.
The strong participation of students and faculty during the scientific seminar also highlighted the importance of training and engaging the next generation of researchers, innovators and decision-makers in transforming food systems.
By aligning CGIAR’s global scientific excellence with Madagascar’s national priorities while mobilizing donor investments and strengthening national research capacity, the week represented more than a series of meetings. It laid the foundation for a food system capable of withstanding crises, sustainably feeding the population, and creating economic opportunities for rural and urban families alike.
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