Several infrastructures renovated for the well-being of farmers

This year’s outcomes from the Sustainable Agricultural Project in a Landscape Approach (PADAP) are promising. The official closing ceremony, held at the Carlton Anosy Hotel, provided detailed insights into the project’s achievements.

Established in 2017 to address identified needs from the Watersheds – Irrigated Perimeters (BVPI) project and the Environmental Program III, PADAP has been active in five landscapes across four regions. These include the Iazafo and Soanierana-Ivongo landscapes in Analanjirofo, the Marovoay landscape in Boeny, the Andapa landscape in Sava, and the Bealanana landscape in Sofia.

The project is structured around four key aspects. In terms of infrastructure, PADAP has focused on renovating and redeveloping 76 hydraulic dams, 214 kilometers of canals, and 10 bridges. This effort has resulted in enhanced irrigation across 3,315 hectares of perimeters. Additionally, 77 kilometers of tracks have been renovated, aiming to improve farmers’ access to markets.

On the agricultural front, Padap supports farmers by providing them with improved seeds, fertilizers and agricultural products. The organization has also disseminated advanced farming methods and trained 289 farmers. In addition, 3,685 farmers are now adopting agroecology. According to Oliva Rafalimanana, Padap’s national coordinator, « the project has also played a crucial role on the environmental front, particularly in forest preservation by supporting the sustainable management of 652,171 hectares of protected areas, with the production of 1.7 million seedlings by 114 nurserymen in the four intervention regions. »

In terms of human development, PADAP has actively promoted the integration of grassroots communities at different stages of the project. Presently, 70 grassroots communities (COBA) have been established to facilitate the sustainable management of 217,140 hectares of forest. While the project has been funded by the International Development Association (IDA), the Global Environment Facility, and the French Development Agency (AFD), there are still obstacles to be addressed.