Domestic
Vakinankartra: Innovation Leader Focuses on Farmers' Benefits
Agricultural development has become a priority in the government's current reform policy, aimed at achieving national food self-sufficiency and improving the farming sector. The head of innovation recently visited Antsirabe, where he met with collaborators and several ministers who presented productive equipment for agriculture. Agriculture is a key economic sector in Madagascar, contributing 28% to GDP and employing 78% of the working population according to statistics. Rice, a staple food, accounts for 12% of GDP. To address national needs, the government provided 11 tractors to CFFAMA along with various equipment intended to increase cultivable land area and reduce heavy labor for farmers, according to innovation leader Colonel Michael Randrianirina. Additionally, 200 bicycles and 200 tool kits were distributed to farmer relay agents across seven districts in the Vakinankartra region. There are also 60 fishing nets from the WFP distributed to farmer associations in Antsirabe II district. In Antsirabe I, over 216 farmers will receive production support including 4,000 kg of organic fertilizer, 800 kg NPK, 320 kg of X265 rice seeds, and 220 kg of IRAT200 cassava seeds. These measures aim to improve farmer productivity and strengthen cooperation in the independent sector.
Source: Midi Madagasikara