JIRCAS is implementing the SATREPS project “Breakthrough in Nutrient Use Efficiency for Rice by Genetic Improvement and Fertility Sensing Techniques in Africa” in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (MAEP) of Madagascar. In order to promote the JIRCAS research activities in Madagascar, including this project, and to build a stronger joint research implementation system, JIRCAS President, Dr. IWANAGA Masa paid a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the MAEP on March 1, 2018.

At the meeting, the two leaders emphasized that improvement of rice productivity was extremely important for the development of Madagascar as discussed in the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) held in Nairobi in August 2016. The Secretary General acknowledged the importance of the collaboration on the development of technology to promote the efficient use of soil nutrients and fertilizers in Madagascar where rice yields remained stagnant compared to other African countries. A joint press conference was held after the meeting and the research activities of JIRCAS in Madagascar attracted great interest in the local media.