A major hydro-agricultural infrastructure will be built on the Mandrare River. The Havelo Mandrare project is an integrated initiative involving key ministries, financed by the World Bank through the Regional Climate Resilience Program. It aims to combat drought, famine, and poverty in the Androy and Anosy regions to transform the economy of Madagascar's Grand South. To achieve this, a large hydro-agricultural infrastructure measuring 1 km long and 65 meters high will be constructed on the Mandrare River. This will irrigate between 16,000 and 20,000 hectares of agricultural land while promoting crop varieties suited to the climatic and soil conditions of southern Madagascar, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty. These crops include sorghum, maize, cassava, sweet potato, and beans. Local farmers will be able to increase production, particularly since some crops can be grown twice annually. Sustainable Solutions. The project also plans to supply drinking water to the Grand South through a large water reservoir with a capacity of 810 million cubic meters. Energy development is also included, with a hydroelectric power plant to be built. The objective is to provide sustainable solutions to water shortages and production difficulties facing populations in these two regions while helping to permanently eradicate famine. Additionally, 260 km of roads will be rehabilitated as part of project implementation to open up the area and facilitate crop evacuation for producers. Financing. A recent meeting took place between Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Minister Gaëtan Ramindo and African Development Bank representative in Madagascar Adam Amoumoun to discuss financing for agricultural development in the Grand South. Both parties also examined the modalities for constructing and rehabilitating essential hydro-agricultural infrastructure on the Mandrare River through the Havelo Mandrare project deployment to boost local rural economy.