Madagascar is turning to the testing of new rice varieties as part of efforts to boost agricultural production and strengthen food sovereignty. Improved breeder seeds provided through Egypt’s “Future of Egypt” initiative have officially been handed over to the National Center for Environmental Research and Rural Development (FOFIFA). Before they can be cultivated on a large scale, the seeds will undergo health checks, quarantine and field trials to assess their suitability for Madagascar’s agricultural conditions.
The handover of the seeds comes as part of strengthened agricultural cooperation between Madagascar and Egypt. According to Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Gaëtan Ramindo, FOFIFA has the expertise required to conduct the necessary health checks and scientific trials before the new varieties can be used. The process is intended in particular to verify their health status and prevent the introduction or spread of diseases that could threaten local crops.
The main objective of the trials will be to determine the agronomic potential of the Egyptian seeds and their ability to adapt to Madagascar’s different agro-climatic conditions. The minister said the variety is expected to withstand difficult conditions while delivering high yields. The trials will therefore help identify the areas and production conditions under which the variety could perform best.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to increase rice productivity and strengthen Madagascar’s food sovereignty. For the authorities, higher yields could also help increase farmers’ incomes by allowing them to produce more on their existing farmland. The introduction of potentially higher-performing varieties could therefore provide an additional tool in reducing the country’s reliance on imported rice.
The project will also benefit from technical support from Egypt. Egyptian technicians are expected to travel to Madagascar to contribute to the training of Malagasy technicians. This cooperation could facilitate knowledge transfer and strengthen national expertise in research, varietal selection and agricultural experimentation.
However, the authorities stress the importance of strictly following health and phytosanitary procedures before the seeds are used. This precaution is particularly important given the sensitive situation of Madagascar’s rice sector. In a public report released in March 2026, the Court of Auditors noted that contaminated rice seeds had been distributed in several parts of the country in February 2025 before the results of health analyses were available. Some of the seeds had reportedly begun contaminating local varieties before their distribution was halted. The Court described the incident as a “serious failure” that could put the country’s rice production at risk.
Against this backdrop, the transfer of the Egyptian seeds to FOFIFA and their placement under quarantine represent a particularly important step. The seeds are not yet being distributed to farmers. Instead, they are entering a preliminary scientific phase designed to assess their safety, agronomic performance and compatibility with local conditions.
The authorities also emphasize that the new seeds are not intended to replace rice varieties already grown in Madagascar. Local varieties will continue to be cultivated and preserved. The trials will instead determine whether the Egyptian variety can complement existing varieties and meet specific needs among Malagasy farmers.
FOFIFA Director General Jean Michel Leong Pock Tsy has confirmed this approach. According to him, the trials will help identify which characteristics of the variety could genuinely be adapted to the needs of Malagasy farmers, without undermining varieties that have already been developed locally.
The testing of these seeds therefore marks another step in Madagascar’s search for solutions to increase rice production. If the health checks and scientific trials produce positive results, the variety could help improve yields and strengthen domestic rice production. However, before any wider rollout, the authorities will need to rely on scientific evidence from the testing process to ensure that its introduction is carried out safely while protecting Madagascar’s local rice resources.
