Professionalization of agriculture in the region Itasy in Madagascar

BACKGROUND

A decentralized cooperation agreement was signed in October 2007 between the Aquitaine Region and the Itasy Region. This agreement embodies the will of the Aquitaine Region to continue its involvement in the sustainable development of Madagascar through actions favoring a perennial territorial strategy.

Two priority areas for development were identified: institutional strengthening and professionalization of agriculture.



Agrisud International is the prime contractor for the project.


OBJECTIVES

The project objective is to support effectively the Itasy Region in the implementation of these actions to professionalize streamline action by provide an essential qualification to improvements in production concerned with sustainable development.
To do this, AGRISUD proposed in 2008 an approach providing 2 phases:

- An initial diagnostic phase and pilot actions on the common target Analavory, which was conducted between July 2008 and April 2009. The following results were achieved:

• Diagnosis across the Itasy region and Analavory commune, general context of agriculture Itasy, stress analysis and areas of development, technico-economic sectors of 7 major "products" (rice, tomato, potato, corn, pineapple, papaya, onion)
• improved production techniques: intensive rice systems (RIS), production of potato, composting technologies, management of farms, nurseries gardening techniques, soil mulching ...
• Broadcast position among operators (training and advisory support): 71 farmers apply improved techniques (187 in contact with the project)
• Strengthening the capacity of service to SPPE Analavory: compost production, crop demonstration, training members of the organization to manage operations
• Technico-economic and training materials developed, data sheets "farming": the manufacture and use compost, gardening nurseries aboveground table, seed treatment.

- A second phase expansion, which will build on 2 aspects: producers coaches (masters-operators) and the Agricultural Resource Center will run from 2009 to December 2010

This extension phase concern 7 other municipalities in the region and strengthening activities in the town of Analavory (municipalities affected by the extension: Alatsinainikely, Ambatoasana, Miarinarivo II Ambohitrambo, Imerintsiatosika, and Ampahimanga Arivonimamo II).


In particular it provides training for 120 supervisors producers (including 14 previously identified during the first phase), which will ensure continuous monitoring of the appropriation of innovations, training and advisory support to 600 farmers in their immediate environment, and contribution to the creation of an agricultural resource center, the future engine for agricultural development in the region.


OPERATIONAL PARTNERS (2008-2010)

Operational : Itasy and Aquitaine Regions
Financial: funding the second phase an amount of € 185,000 is provided to 78% by the Conseil Régional d'Aquitaine. By the end of 2010, AGRISUD must raise € 40,000.

EXPECTED RESULTS

Seven other municipalities in the region are strengthened in their activities: Alatsinainikely, Ambatoasana, Miarinarivo II Ambohitrambo, Imerintsiatosika, Ampahimanga Arivonimamo and II).
Training for 120 supervisors producers (including 14 previously identified during the first phase), which will ensure continuous monitoring of innovations appropriation, training and advisory support to 600 farmers in their immediate environment, and contribution the creation of an agricultural resource center, the future key point for agricultural development in the region.

RESEARCH FUNDING

To achieve the objectives, funding sought is of € 40,000.