FTA Research  ·  Minimal Irrigation Project  ·  Madagascar
EN | FR
HomeAbout › History
Our Story

Born from a Challenge, Forged on the Ground

The MIP project was born from a simple, urgent observation: in Madagascar, thousands of farmers watch their harvests wither for lack of water.

The MIP project was born from a simple, urgent observation: in Madagascar, thousands of farmers watch their harvests wither for lack of water, while groundwater reserves steadily deplete. From the start, MIP chose a different path — science truly at the service of the field.

Origins
One problem, one conviction

Faced with water scarcity and the limits of traditional irrigation, FTA, ESSA-ABC and Aqua Alimenta joined forces around a shared belief: producing more with less water is possible.

Climate variabilitySmallholder farmsWater stress
Building the network
9 sites, 3 regions, one method

The programme deployed its experimental network across three distinct agroecological zones: Amoron’ny Mania, Analamanga, and Alaotra Mangoro — each site chosen for its representativeness.

Amoron’ny ManiaAnalamangaAlaotra Mangoro9 active sites
2025 — A pivotal year
Proof through results

2025 validated all core hypotheses: up to 40% water savings with no commercial yield loss, +20 to +40% productivity gains, kits paying back within 2–3 seasons.

6 studies published200 farmers involved2 Master theses
2026 — Scale-up
Scaling the impact

Building on these gains, MIP enters a deepening phase: 8 priority research themes, a new phytosanitary axis, training for 500+ farmers across all regions.

8 active studies500+ beneficiariesFinal restitution: Oct.