Madagascar prioritizes farm support to boost food security
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In Antsirabe, Madagascar, President Michaël Randrianirina committed to supporting farmers with resources to increase agricultural production.
The President stated his administration spent its first eleven months addressing critical infrastructure gaps in water, electricity, and roads, and now intends to focus on strengthening the agricultural sector. He explained that 80 percent of the Malagasy population are farmers, and a strong agricultural sector will create a stronger nation.
To modernize farming, the government distributed eleven Massey Ferguson tractors equipped with plows, sprayers, and other tools. Along with the equipment, officials provided 320 kilograms of improved rice seeds, corn seeds, organic and mineral fertilizers, and 200 bicycles with backpacks for agricultural extension workers. Over two hundred farmers in Antsirabe will directly receive these supplies, and sixty tarps were distributed to help with drying crops and reducing waste.
The government plans to expand this support beyond the Vakinankaratra region to include Melaky, Analamanga, Itasy, and Anosy, aiming to cultivate approximately 11,000 hectares annually through mechanization. Ultimately, the President hopes to move Madagascar from importing rice to becoming an exporter, transforming agriculture into a source of jobs, income, and economic growth.
