Pilot a regional circular economy model to protect local specialty products and natural resources

Pilot a regional circular economy model to protect local specialty products and natural resources

Republic of Madagascar

Madagascar produces a diverse range of specialty agricultural products in addition to rice, including globally prized vanilla, cacao, cloves, and high-quality ylang-ylang. Production and processing of these products are primary sources of livelihood for local communities, and approximately 70 percent of the employed population works in agriculture. At the same time, approximately 80 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, with daily income around JPY 300, and approximately 85 percent of these residents are concentrated in rural areas, making low incomes among farmers a persistent challenge.

To address these challenges, it is important to develop value chains for specialty agricultural products and increase value added. At the same time, in Madagascar, one of the world’s most significant biodiversity hotspots, environmental degradation—including deforestation, soil degradation, and depletion of water sources—has been worsening year by year. Therefore, achieving a balance between production and conservation of the natural environment, by maintaining and restoring the ecosystems that support agriculture while simultaneously increasing value added in agricultural products, has become a critical issue for sustainable industrial development.

We envision collaboration with a range of stakeholders—including Japanese companies and research institutions—who can address the challenges noted above

• A proof-of-concept (PoC) to validate agroforestry and conservation agriculture practices that contribute to soil conservation, forest conservation, and source-water protection.
• PoC to assess mechanisms and farming practices that enhance value in tandem with environmental conservation.
• PoC to explore and test approaches to improving farmers’ awareness and engagement.
• PoC to evaluate the reuse of household waste (e.g., organic waste) to improve yields and quality, etc.

Note : We also welcome pilot proposals not listed above, as long as they contribute to solving the stated challenges.

We seek technologies, proven results, and expertise that simultaneously improve the quality and yields of specialty agricultural products and conserve the natural environment—for example, processing and quality control for vanilla, cacao, and ylang-ylang; reuse of processing byproducts and waste; conservation and assessment of forests, soils, and water sources in production areas; and improving market access.

Note : We also accept achievements and expertise other than those listed above, as long as they contribute to solving the stated challenges.

• Provide opportunities for PoC in Madagascar.
• Provide consultation on adaptation and applicability to other countries.
• Coordinate with ongoing JICA projects, including the SATREPS and technical cooperation.
• Collaborate with the activities of JOCV who work on the front lines.

Aichi (on-site pitch)・Tokyo(on-site pitch)