Japan and WFP strengthen nutrition and farming in southern Madagascar | World Food Programme

EXTRACTO DEL FEED · ATRIBUIDO AL MEDIO

Countries: Madagascar, Japan

Source: World Food Programme

BETIOKY, Madagascar – The Government of Japan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today inaugurated three solar-powered agricultural hubs under the “Rapid Rural Transformation” (RRT) initiative and six Learning and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres in Betioky district. The nine facilities are supporting drought-affected communities to produce food, improve children’s nutrition and build resilience to climate shocks.

The nine facilities were established through a JPY 300 million contribution from Japan, equivalent to USD 2.03 million. Pledged in 2025 in response to the severe drought linked to the 2024 El Niño event, the funding supports families whose livelihoods were eroded by crop losses and recurrent drought.

Tojima Hitoshi, Ambassador of Japan to Madagascar, Tania Goossens, WFP Country Director and Representative in Madagascar and Eric Perdison, WFP Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, marked their completion during a visit to one of the solar hubs.

“Japan supports the “Rapid Rural Transformation” (RRT) initiative, which aims to strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of rural communities through integrated support in agriculture, nutrition and local development” said Ambassador Tojima during his visit. “This initiative reflects Japan’s commitment to human security by helping vulnerable communities strengthen their resilience and livelihoods, and we will continue working alongside Madagascar and WFP on these joint objectives.”

Three solar hubs have already been established with Japan’s support, and one additional unit is being planned to further expand the initiative thanks to an additional contribution of JPY 100 million equivalent to USD 666,666 pledged by Japan this year. This cooperation also benefits from collaboration with the Graduate School of Energy Science of Kyoto University, which contributes its expertise to promote sustainable development and strengthen the resilience of rural communities in Madagascar. In addition, the Japanese NGO AMDA-MINDS contributes to the development of tilapia aquaculture, helping to diversify livelihoods and strengthen food security among local communities.

The agricultural solar hubs are equipped with irrigation pumps, food-processing machinery and equipment for income-generating activities. Alongside crop preservation materials, the hubs are enabling 1,989 smallholder farmers to produce more nutritious crops, reduce post-harvest losses and improve food security in their communities.

The Learning and Nutritional Rehabilitation Centres, known locally as FARNE centres, provide community-based care for children under five affected by moderate acute malnutrition. The centres have screened 1,292 children so far and provide nutrition and care guidance alongside early childhood development activities.

The facilities also support women’s economic participation. More than 1,200 women have received entrepreneurship and financial education training, with participants using the skills to establish income-generating activities and contribute more actively to household incomes and community decision making.

“This investment is helping families produce and preserve more food while bringing nutrition care closer to young children,” said Tania Goossens, WFP Country Director and Representative in Madagascar. “WFP is grateful to the Government of Japan for supporting practical solutions that strengthen livelihoods and help communities withstand recurrent droughts and other climate shocks.”

The support comes as food insecurity is expected to deteriorate during Madagascar’s October to December lean season. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis projected that 3.72 million people would face Crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity during the lean season, including 426,000 people facing Emergency levels. The infrastructures and activities set up with the support from Japan are expected to support communities in southern Madagascar who face rainfall deficits and worsening drought amid strengthening El Niño conditions.

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