ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳and the Republic of Madagascar sign a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen food security and transform agricultural systems
ANTANANARIVO - The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ (WFP) have reaffirmed their joint commitment to promoting food and nutrition security, strengthening the resilience of vulnerable groups, and transforming the country's food systems by signing a memorandum of understanding in Madagascar.
This strategic cooperation is based on four pillars: supporting the definition and implementation of agricultural policies; establishing coordination, strategic direction, and monitoring mechanisms for joint projects/programmes; contributing to strengthening community resilience and self-sufficiency in food production; and developing South-South cooperation.
¡°Through innovative, inclusive and appropriate solutions, we are collaborating with our partners to build food systems that can withstand shocks and ensure human dignity,¡± said ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳acting Country Director and Representative Mamadou Mbaye. ¡°Other innovative interventions include facilitating market access for smallholder producers through home-grown school feeding, climate risk management through resilient agriculture, anticipatory action, agricultural insurance, and the promotion of renewable energy through the Rapid Rural Transformation initiative.¡±
The collaboration under the memorandum of understanding, effective from December 2024, will continue for a period of four years and is based national priorities and the sustainable development goals.
Agriculture plays a key role in Madagascar's economy, accounting for around 24% of GDP and employing almost 80% of the working population. Despite this significant role, the sector faces major challenges: climatic shocks, low productivity, limited access to markets, inadequate infrastructure, and significant post-harvest losses.
¡°This agreement, which is the fruit of the excellent cooperation between the Republic of Madagascar and WFP, is part of an ambitious and visionary approach,¡± said HEM Hajarison Fran?ois Sergio, Minister of Agriculture and Livestock in Madagascar. ¡°It reflects our shared determination to address the strategic challenges of food security, sustainable development and resilience to climatic and economic shocks.¡±
WFP's Country Strategic Plan (2024 - 2028) is aligned with the Government's vision to strengthen the resilience of rural communities in several areas, including the development of nutrition-sensitive agricultural value chains in support of the National Multisectoral Action Plan for Nutrition IV and the creation of food reserves for times of crisis.
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The United Nations ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ is the world¡¯s largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.
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