Dr. Aung Zaw Oo, a senior researcher at JIRCAS and a member of the SATREPS VaryAla Project (Output 1), traveled to Madagascar from November to December to establish experimental field sites.

During this trip, field cultivation trials were conducted across four different climatic regions in Madagascar to improve the sustainability of rice production while reducing environmental impacts. A total of eight field experiments (two at each site) were established to compare the localized phosphorus dipping (P-dipping) technique with conventional farmer management practices.
During the mission, field trials were established, treatment plots were set up, and rice seedlings were transplanted at all sites. In addition, samplers were installed to monitor soil environmental parameters, and chamber bases and bridges were constructed for greenhouse gas sampling. New technicians were trained in gas sampling techniques for rice fields, and the first round of gas sampling was successfully completed in collaboration with local counterparts.