Developing an agricultural college

The project initially aimed to rehabilitate, outfit and develop the Ambatomainty agricultural college. Since 2015, the college had been accommodating 35 students in a dilapidated building. In order for this fifth college to become fully operational, its infrastructure had to be rehabilitated so that it could accommodate 90 full-board students (3 classes), as well as the six-person teaching team. A farming demonstration plot was also to be developed. The project aimed to enable the college to gain recognition and consolidate its credibility at both regional and national level.

The agricultural college originally planned at Ambatomainty could not be completed because of a land dispute. FERT, Fifata and Fekama were able to identify a new site in Manganoro, close to Ambatondrazaka. Most of the infrastructure had to be built, rather than reconstructed, and a well had to be drilled, at no extra cost to the Foundation. During the course of the project three classes graduated having followed the training, and by the end the college was operating close to its full capacity with 81 students residing at the boarding house. 40% of students who graduated in 2018 from the Manganoro site were women.

The French association FERT was launched in 1981 by agricultural professionals and people concerned with agro-food challenges in developing countries. FERT has been working in Madagascar since 1986.

81
Students

Type

Education / Environment

Duration

July 2016 - June 2019

Location

Ambatromainty / Madagascar

With whom

FERT

Website

www.fert.fr

Madagascar

Population
25.6 million (2017)

Per Capita Income
USD 400/year (2017)

Poverty rate *
71% (2012)

Literacy rate
72% (2016)

Human Development Index
161st out of 189 countries (2018)

The political instability affecting Madagascar since 2009 has undermined government institutional capacity, economic growth and development efforts. Its education, health, nutrition and water access outcomes are among the poorest in the world. The poverty rate has sharply increased since 2009, with 90% of the population living below the international poverty line. Almost half of all children under five are chronically malnourished. In addition, the country is particularly vulnerable to natural disasters, including cyclones, droughts and floods. It is also faced with the challenge of preserving its unique environment and biodiversity of global significance.

Sources: World Food Program, UNICEF, World Bank, 2016 Human Development Report, Human Development Indices and Indicators (2018 Statistical Update)

*The percentage of the population living below the national poverty line.