Japan is strengthening its support for Madagascar's food security. A mechanism is being put in place to generate funds for future development projects, transforming one-time food aid into an economic lever. Japan has granted Madagascar a rice donation valued at 300 million yen, approximately 7.9 billion ariary, under the 2026 Food Assistance Program. The agreement was signed yesterday in Anosy by Japanese Ambassador Tojima Hitoshi and Foreign Affairs Minister N'Diaye Alice, in the presence of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister Gaëtan Ramindo. According to officials, this rice will not be distributed free to households. The Malagasy government plans to sell it on the local market at a reasonable price. The proceeds will then be deposited into the state account as "counterpart funds."

Development
This mechanism gives food aid a second purpose, aiming to support supply while creating resources for socio-economic development. The stakes are significant in a country where nearly 80% of the population depends on agriculture for subsistence, while production remains highly vulnerable to climate variability, including recurring droughts in the Grand South and cyclones and floods regularly affecting the East.

Reality
Adding to this productive vulnerability is a concerning nutritional situation. Nearly one in two children under five still suffers from chronic malnutrition. Japan notes that similar programs deployed in the country have already financed projects through counterpart funds. This new assistance is part of long-term cooperation, with the ambition to simultaneously strengthen food security, agricultural resilience, and living conditions for the population.