{"id":18283,"date":"2026-06-20T13:03:52","date_gmt":"2026-06-20T13:03:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev.iita.org\/news-item\/madagascar-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-for-agricultural-transformation\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:50:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:50:22","slug":"madagascar-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-for-agricultural-transformation","status":"publish","type":"news-item","link":"https:\/\/iita.org\/fr\/news-item\/madagascar-delegation-explores-iita-innovations-for-agricultural-transformation\/","title":{"rendered":"Madagascar delegation explores IITA innovations for agricultural transformation"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"The
The Madagascar delegates in a welcome photograph with IITA scientists and members of senior management team<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A high-level delegation from Madagascar visited IITA<\/a>\u2013CGIAR<\/a> during 8 \u2013 12 September, on an immersion mission to explore the Institute\u2019s cutting-edge agricultural technologies, research programs, and innovations. The delegation identified innovative technologies suitable to support the country\u2019s agricultural transformation agenda. The mission reflects the country\u2019s vision to transform its agricultural systems to become the \u201cBreadbasket of the Indian Ocean.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 9-member delegation included senior technical and policy leaders from Madagascar\u2019s 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\u2019s current food safety project, seed systems, soil fertility management, and resilience to pests, diseases, and climate aggravated challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s nine agricultural transformation programs with IITA\u2019s 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\u2019s Business Incubation Platform (BIP).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With an FSRP-funded Aflasafe project already underway in Madagascar, the delegation\u2019s 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\u2013private sector collaboration. To this end, the delegates visited HarvestField Industries Limited, IITA\u2019s 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\u2014lessons that can inform the ongoing efforts in Madagascar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alejandro
Alejandro Ortega-Beltran, IITA Senior Plant Pathologist and Head of Pathology and Mycotoxin\/Aflasafe Unit taking the delegates through IITA\u2019s Aflasafe biocontrol solution to aflatoxin, a common food safety threat across sub-Saharan Africa.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The delegates also engaged with IITA\u2019s Deputy Director General, Corporate Services, Hilde Koper-Limbourg<\/a>, who provided an overview of IITA\u2019s corporate operations. She highlighted the Institute\u2019s 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\u2019s research and delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During the visit, IITA\u2019s 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<\/a>, IITA Virologist and Head of Germplasm Health Unit, \u201cthe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019 resilience to climate change, and sustain profitability. Delegates also explored IITA\u2019s Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) technology, which enables the rapid multiplication of disease-free cassava and yam planting materials\u2014essential for food security in root crop-dependent regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Food safety and nutrition were central themes throughout the mission. Mercy Lung\u2019aho<\/a>, IITA\u2019s Program Lead for Food Security, Nutrition, and Health, engaged the team in conversations around nutrition optimization strategies. Titilayo Falade<\/a>, IITA Food Safety Scientist, engaged the team in deliberations on aflatoxin mitigation and other food safety studies and interventions relevant to the Madagascar context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Madagascar delegates with the HarvestField Industries Limited (HIL) staff after touring the facility to learn operation and production processes.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At IITA headquarters in Ibadan, the delegation toured field stations and laboratories, engaging with scientists and technical experts from IITA\u2019s maize, soybean, cowpea, cassava, and plantain\/banana research programs. They also interacted with AfricaRice<\/a> representatives on advanced rice technologies adaptable to Madagascar\u2019s production systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another highlight was the visit to IITA\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the visit, Andriampeno Tanteliniaina, Deputy Coordinator of FSRP noted, \u201ceach technology we observed directly responds to Madagascar\u2019s priorities for food security, improved nutrition, sustainable livelihoods, and capacity development.\u201d Leong Jean Michel, Director General of FOFIFA added, \u201cthe exchanges we had with researchers and experts will enable us to progress in direct research and ultimately improve food production in Madagascar.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In his closing remarks, acting IITA Deputy Director General, Partnerships for Delivery, Abdoulaye Tahirou<\/a>, 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\u2014not only for Madagascar, but also for humanity as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s place as a food production leader in the Indian Ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contributed by Folake Oduntan and Alejandro Ortega-Beltran<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A high-level delegation from Madagascar visited IITA\u2013CGIAR during 8 \u2013 12 September, on an immersion mission to explore the Institute\u2019s cutting-edge agricultural technologies, research programs, and 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