Promoting access to productive employment for rural youth

The Sustainable Entrepreneurship Promotion and Support Program for the Economic Integration of Rural Youth (Progres) has just been launched.

This eight-year program is financed with 120 million USD, including 83.5 million USD from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project will benefit 130,000 disadvantaged rural households, representing approximately 650,000 individuals from 12 regions of the Great Island. The Malagasy government and IFAD are collaborating to create entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly to support rural youth and foster the creation of climate-resilient value chains.

The program aims to promote access to productive and decent employment for rural youth through economically viable and accessible value chains for smallholders (rice, maize, cassava, honey, peanuts, onions, beans, cowpeas, small ruminants, and other food crops). Emphasis will also be placed on sectors that can improve nutritional status, such as poultry farming, vegetable gardening, legumes, and fish farming.

Priority will be given to 12 regions, including six vulnerable to food insecurity (Androy, Atsimo-Andrefana, Anosy, Atsimo-Atsinanana, Vatovavy, and Fitovinany). Three zones are located in the west (Bongolava, Melaky, and Menabe), and three in the central highlands (Ihorombe, Matsiatra Ambony, and Amoron’i Mania).

Among the 650,000 beneficiaries, 40 % will be women and 60% will be young people (aged 18 to 30), with an equal proportion of men and women. The program aims to create at least 50,000 jobs and improve the nutritional status of 110,500 households. Additionally, 75,000 young people will be trained to start businesses in rural areas.