Thriving Fields of Resilience: Empowering Madagascar's Sustainable Agricultural Revolution

The World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD) have committed $227 million in financing to Madagascar, aimed at bolstering sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change. Sustainable agriculture is regarded as a vital solution to address climate challenges on the African continent, and Madagascar has received support from the World Bank, which will provide $200 million, while the AFD is expected to approve €25 million by July 2023.

This funding will assist the Malagasy government in advancing climate-resilient agriculture in the prominent agricultural regions of Alaotra-Mangoro and Sofia. It will involve backing watershed restoration initiatives led by local communities. Additionally, the authorities plan to finance the rehabilitation of 30,000 hectares of irrigated areas, 30,000 hectares of watersheds, and 150 kilometers of rural roads. These efforts aim to enhance market accessibility, thereby minimizing post-harvest losses.

Furthermore, the financial support from the World Bank and AFD will facilitate farmers' investments in micro-irrigation and sustainable landscape management, covering a minimum of 61,000 hectares. The ultimate objective is to benefit 150,000 households, including 165,000 farmers, through the deployment of blockchain-backed input vouchers and comprehensive training on climate-smart agriculture and agroecological practices.