The project aimed to help young farmers to set up their own activity at the end of their training at agricultural college. Working closely with Fifata, a national farmers’ association, it planned three types of activities: assistance for 283 youths from four dedicated agricultural counsellors, endowments in the form of equipment to support the initial activities of 243 youths, and the organisation of meetings and exchanges between the young farmers. The project aimed to improve the management of new farms and their agricultural practices, and to provide skills to master the technical and managerial processes involved.
At the end of the project, the number of youths having benefitted from the programme had risen to 347. They received support when setting up their agricultural activity from an agricultural counsellor; 262 youths received endowments, in the form of farming equipment to set up their initial activity, and 1,200 graduates, 400 a year, took part in exchanges. The percentage of youths working in the agricultural sector and practicing an agricultural activity after leaving agricultural college increased from 60% in 2007 (before the implementation of one-on-one counselling) to 95% in 2015.
The French association FERT was launched in 1981 by agricultural professionals and people concerned with agro-food challenges in developing countries. It has been active in Madagascar since 1986.
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FERT
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.