Japan continues its support for Madagascar in food security. A new non-repayable rice donation valued at 300 million yen, approximately 7.9 billion ariary, has been granted to the island nation under the 2026 Food Assistance Program. The agreement was officially signed Friday, September 4 in Anosy. The ceremony brought together Japan's Ambassador to Madagascar, Tojima Hitoshi, and Foreign Affairs Minister N'Diaye Alice, signatories of the note exchange. Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister Ramindo Gaëtan, along with representatives from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, also attended the event. This new Japanese contribution aims primarily to strengthen food security in a country where nearly 80% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihood. The program comes in a context marked by significant vulnerability of agricultural production. In the Grand South, recurring droughts affect harvests, while eastern regions regularly face cyclones and flooding. Adding to these difficulties is the persistence of chronic malnutrition: nearly one in two children under five still suffers from it in Madagascar. Stabilizing food supply and improving nutrition remain major challenges. The rice provided through this donation, a staple food for much of the Malagasy population, will not be distributed free to the public. It will be marketed by the Malagasy government on the local market at a reasonable price. The revenue generated will then be deposited into "Counterpart Funds." These resources will serve, in consultation with Japan, to finance projects contributing to Madagascar's socio-economic development. This mechanism has already supported several development initiatives. Funded projects contribute notably to strengthening food security, improving the resilience of the agricultural sector, and enhancing living conditions for the population. Through this new assistance, Japan reaffirms its commitment alongside Madagascar to promote more stable, safe, and affordable food supply.