(Ecofin Agency) - • Madagascar signs $90M deal with Israeli firm LR Group to launch a smart agriculture project.
• The plan covers 10,000 hectares across four regions and aims to help over 10,000 small farmers.
• Technologies include solar irrigation, hybrid seeds, satellite tracking, and AI for crop planning.

Madagascar announced a partnership with Israeli group LR Group Ltd on a $90 million smart agriculture project. The deal was signed on May 25 in Tel Aviv by the Secretary of State for the Presidency in charge of food sovereignty.

The project will develop a large farming hub spread over 10,000 hectares in four regions, including Analamanga, Alaotra-Mangoro, Bongolava, and Vakinankaratra. It will focus on growing rice, maize, and soybeans using advanced tools and techniques.

New methods include solar-powered irrigation, high-yield hybrid seeds, and the use of artificial intelligence and satellite imagery to monitor crops. The project will also set up modern storage systems, farm machinery, and a research lab to support future innovations.

More than 10,000 small-scale farmers are expected to benefit through training and technical support. Authorities say the goal is to improve food self-sufficiency and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports, while also helping farmers adapt to climate change.

The government hopes this project will serve as a model for similar efforts in other parts of the country. But for long-term success, officials stress the need to fully involve farmers, maintain new technologies, and improve access to funding.