A new rice variety could help improve rice production and strengthen food security in Madagascar. Named “Besalohy,” it is the result of four years of research conducted jointly by Fofifa and the Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences. Its official launch marks a new milestone in scientific cooperation between Madagascar and Japan.
Developed under the Satreps-FyVary program, with support from the Japanese government through JICA, Besalohy is a cross between the Malagasy variety X265, widely grown in the country, and Koshihikari, a Japanese variety known for its taste. The goal is to combine productivity, adaptation to local conditions, and rice quality.
For farmers, one of the main advantages of Besalohy lies in its ability to offer better yields, especially on poor soils. Thanks to increased tillering, this variety has higher production potential. This characteristic can be a significant advantage for producers facing declining soil fertility and cultivation constraints.
Beyond agricultural yield, this innovation could have broader societal impacts. More efficient production helps improve the availability of rice, a staple food for Malagasy households, and can thus contribute to efforts aimed at reducing food insecurity risks. Improved productivity could also support producers’ incomes and strengthen the dynamics of the rice sector.
The project has also strengthened national scientific capacities. A genetic improvement laboratory was created within Fofifa, and young Malagasy researchers received training in Japan. These achievements represent a sustainable investment in agricultural research and local innovation.
Cooperation does not stop with the development of Besalohy. Madagascar also plans to present this variety at the International Horticultural Expo in Yokohama, Japan, in 2027, which could provide international visibility for this innovation.
With Besalohy, scientific research is moving closer to the daily needs of the population. From the agricultural plot to the consumer’s plate, this new variety aims to transform scientific advances into concrete benefits for Malagasy society.
Captured & Published at: 2026-09-02 06:09:11 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/09/agriculture-besalohy-renforce-la.html
