Strengthening Agricultural Resilience in Madagascar through FSRP and Rice Research by AfricaRice and FOFIFA

RAZAFINDRASOA JULIETTE and RAMANANTENASOA Olimalala, certified seed producers in the Analamanga region, Madagascar.

Mahitsy, Madagascar — May 21, 2025 — As the impacts of climate change become increasingly severe, Madagascar's agricultural systems must adapt quickly. Prolonged droughts, delayed planting seasons, and rice varieties sensitive to cold, diseases, or water stress place rice farmers on the frontlines. To address these challenges, the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), funded by the World Bank and coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE), supports concrete agricultural transformation initiatives focused on resilience, sustainability, and innovation.

In collaboration with the Africa Rice Center (AfricaRice), researchers from FOFIFA have launched a series of experiments on rice varietal improvement under the FSRP. These initiatives aim to select and develop rice varieties that are more resilient to climate shocks, high-yielding, short-cycle, and tailored to the preferences of farmers and consumers. A technical visit took place on May 21, 2025, at the Mahitsy rice research station in the Analamanga region, bringing together technicians, stakeholders, and seed producers. Two experimental sites were showcased: 339 upland rice lines undergoing first-generation trials and 766 lowland rice lines under testing. Upon completion, between 44 and 50 varieties will be selected for participatory testing with farmers, in collaboration with the Official Seed Control Service (SOC), ensuring their certification based on resilience and performance criteria.

For producers like Ms. RAMANANTENASOA Olimalala, based in Mahitsy, these new varieties represent a significant breakthrough. She has chosen to cultivate the FOFIFA 196 variety, also known as VANIALA, a red rice prized for its taste, profitability, and resilience. It yields an average of 5 tons per hectare under irrigated conditions and up to 7 tons per hectare in upland systems, demonstrating the effectiveness of these innovations.

Beyond rice, the FSRP program plans to introduce new varieties for other strategic crops such as maize, cassava, beans, sorghum, millet, peanuts, potatoes, and forage plants. Efforts also focus on strengthening seed systems, agricultural mechanization, and innovation dissemination models.

By bringing together six international research centers from the CGIAR —AfricaRice, IITA, CIP, ICRISAT, Alliance Bioversity International & CIAT, and ILRI — alongside national institutions like FOFIFA, FIFAMANOR, CFFAMMA, and SOC, the FSRP program leverages a collaborative approach grounded in science, innovation, and climate-smart agricultural technologies. Together, these institutions are working to build a resilient, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural sector capable of addressing current and future challenges.