Project Title
Promoting climate resilience in the rice sector through pilot investments in Alaotra-Mangoro, Madagascar
Key Figures
- Budget: USD 4.7 million
- Executing Entity: Ministry of Environment and Forests & Ministry of Agriculture and Farming
- Area rehabilitated: 1,800 hectares of forest
- Fund: Adaptation Fund
- Project Sites: Ambatondrazaka, Amparafaravola and Andilamena
- Timeframe: 2012-2019
Description
In Madagascar, UNEP and partners are working to build resilience to the impacts of climate change in the rice production sector. The project is comprised of three components: 1) strengthening of technical and scientific capacities; 2) implementation of a rice production cycle that is resilient and adapted; and 3) leveraging policy change in the rice sector. The project is implemented in the Alaotra-Mangoro region, the primary rice production area in Madagascar.
Climate change is expected to affect rainfall patterns and decrease overall water availability. This, together with continued environmental degradation, poses a serious risk to rice yields and livelihoods in the region. The project is piloting an integrated rice cultivation model that will achieve sustainable yield increases under a changing climate. Concrete changes to rice production practices (from inputs to harvest management) are being implemented, including measures to restore ecological services.
Climate-resilient rice varieties have been selected through participatory field testing, and dynamic agricultural calendars have been developed and distributed to the local population. The dissemination of climate information, forecasts and early warning is also being improved. Water infrastructure for irrigation has been upgraded, reforestation activities have been undertaken, and improved livestock and land management approaches (e.g. crop rotation and inter-cropping) have been introduced. All these activities will lead to sustainable increases in rice yields. To prevent post-harvest losses, the project is also developing storage facilities with phytosanitary control, serving as trading points and markets.
Media & Resources
- Lessons Learned: Ecosystem-based Adaptation and an Integrated Resilient Rice Model in Madagascar - link
- Terminal Evaluation 2020
- Adaptation fund project page
- MIRR Technical Guidelines (French) - link
- Best Practices & Lessons Learnt (French) - link
- Compilation of Project Results (French) - link
- Project Sustainability Strategy (French) - link
- Find more climate adaptation resources and multimedia
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