A high-level delegation from Madagascar visited IITA–CGIAR during 8 – 12 September, on an immersion mission to explore the Institute’s cutting-edge agricultural technologies, research programs, and innovations. The delegation identified innovative technologies suitable to support the country’s agricultural transformation agenda. The mission reflects the country’s vision to transform its agricultural systems to become the “Breadbasket of the Indian Ocean.”
The 9-member delegation included senior technical and policy leaders from Madagascar’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock alongside its national institutes (FOFIFA, DPV, SOC), the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), and the World Bank. Among the senior officials were Rakotomalala Ny Riana, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock; Leong Pock Tsy Jean Michel, Director General of FOFIFA, the National Agricultural Research Institute; and Rafalimanana Oliva, National Coordinator of the FSRP. Their mission was to identify technologies and partnerships that can strengthen Madagascar’s current food safety project, seed systems, soil fertility management, and resilience to pests, diseases, and climate aggravated challenges.
The visit aligned with the vision of the President of Madagascar to achieve food self-sufficiency and national prosperity. Delegates examined opportunities to link Madagascar’s nine agricultural transformation programs with IITA’s innovations. Discussions focused on seed quality improvement systems, laboratory capacity building, phytosanitary protection, and incubating agricultural start-ups through a potential collaboration between FOFIFA Academy and IITA’s Business Incubation Platform (BIP).
With an FSRP-funded Aflasafe project already underway in Madagascar, the delegation’s visit placed strong emphasis on reviewing progress and planning upcoming biocontrol trials and construction of a laboratory and small-scale biocontrol manufacturing facility. A central element of the discussions was how to strengthen sustainable public–private sector collaboration. To this end, the delegates visited HarvestField Industries Limited, IITA’s licensed partner in Nigeria that manufactures and commercializes Aflasafe. The visit offered practical insights into the production process, distribution models, and regulatory pathways that support large-scale deployment of aflatoxin control solutions—lessons that can inform the ongoing efforts in Madagascar.
The delegates also engaged with IITA’s Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, Hilde Koper-Limbourg, who provided an overview of IITA’s corporate operations. She highlighted the Institute’s project management systems, budgeting and costing processes, manpower funding, and collaboration with national partners, giving participants a comprehensive understanding of the support structures driving IITA’s research and delivery.
During the visit, IITA’s Seed Tracker technology received enthusiastic attention. This digital platform enhances transparency, traceability, and quality control across seed systems, providing real-time data accessible to farmers, processors, regulators, donors, and other stakeholders. According to Lava Kumar, IITA Virologist and Head of Germplasm Health Unit, “the Seed Tracker tool has features relevant to all value chain actors. Its integration could provide Madagascar with a more transparent and effective seed delivery system.”
During one of the learning sessions, the delegation explored how the Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health for West Africa and the Sahel leverages data science, advanced modeling, and integrated soil fertility management techniques to deliver tailored fertilizer recommendations to farmers. These approaches aim to improve soil health, boost agricultural productivity, enhance farmers’ resilience to climate change, and sustain profitability. Delegates also explored IITA’s Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology, which enables the rapid multiplication of disease-free cassava and yam planting materials—essential for food security in root crop-dependent regions.
Food safety and nutrition were central themes throughout the mission. Mercy Lung’aho, IITA’s Program Lead for Food Security, Nutrition, and Health, engaged the team in conversations around nutrition optimization strategies. Titilayo Falade, IITA Food Safety Scientist, engaged the team in deliberations on aflatoxin mitigation and other food safety studies and interventions relevant to the Madagascar context.
At IITA headquarters in Ibadan, the delegation toured field stations and laboratories, engaging with scientists and technical experts from IITA’s maize, soybean, cowpea, cassava, and plantain/banana research programs. They also interacted with AfricaRice representatives on advanced rice technologies adaptable to Madagascar’s production systems.
Another highlight was the visit to IITA’s Cassava Processing Unit, where the team sampled a variety of cassava-based products ranging from cakes and bread rolls to chips, shawarma, and ice cream. This showcased the economic opportunities of post-harvest processing and value addition.
Reflecting on the visit, Andriampeno Tanteliniaina, Deputy Coordinator of FSRP noted, “each technology we observed directly responds to Madagascar’s priorities for food security, improved nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, and capacity development.” Leong Jean Michel, Director General of FOFIFA added, “the exchanges we had with researchers and experts will enable us to progress in direct research and ultimately improve food production in Madagascar.”
The mission concluded with drafting of a concept note outlining priority areas for intervention, including strengthening the current Aflasafe project in Madagascar, and new areas of collaboration with IITA such as seed systems, soil fertility management, and strengthening Malagasy research capacity. This marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between IITA and Madagascar, building on earlier engagements and existing working partnerships with IITA.
In his closing remarks, acting IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Abdoulaye Tahirou, commended IITA staff and scientists for providing the delegation with an enriching and immersive experience. He emphasized that the identified areas of collaboration hold the potential to transform African agriculture—not only for Madagascar, but also for humanity as a whole.
For IITA, the visit reaffirms its role as an Institute of agricultural innovation and a trusted partner for governments and donors seeking transformative food systems solutions. For Madagascar, it signals a concrete step toward scaling technologies that will empower farmers, strengthen value chains, and secure the country’s place as a food production leader in the Indian Ocean.
Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Alejandro Ortega-Beltran
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