From April the 18th to 25th, a delegation of 12 people from CAP Magalasy and Fifata have participated in a study tour.A dense meetings program has helped advance their thinking on institutionalizing CAP Malagasy, an organization specialized in a nearby counseling and active since 2012 in 4 regions of Madagascar.

Come as neighbors on the island of Reunion, some representatives of Fifata, a national organization of Malagasy producers, but also agricultural managers and advisors from CAP Malagasy left to discover what already was for them a new agricultural horizon.

Indeed, the study tour allowed them to glimpse other professional structuring experiences and stimulate their thinking on the trade of agricultural adviser [agricultural adviser, including economic advice to operators]. This exchange also allowed to reflect on governance for farm advisory structure nearby.

During their stay, they met:

  • producers responsible for the production, processing and marketing of products: the AVO and AOPFL,
  • Cooperatives: Vivea and the regional federation of agricultural cooperatives (FRCA)
  • companies or firms which have a consulting business enterprises and farms: Vakom and CER France,
  • Public agricultural institutions like DAAF.

Moreover, visiting agricultural schools Saint Paul and Sainte Suzanne has allowed them to see how the islanders included in their training manual skills required to exercise the profession of farmer, like those required for agricultural adviser profession.

A Time for assessment, participants expressed their surprise at the importance of the farm advisory business in Reunion farmers right from the choice of production chains. Indeed, at the Meeting, the Board is present in agricultural planning product management during the post-harvest phase; a role which is therefore essential for the marketing and exploitation of agricultural products.

In parallel, training and support of Reunion peasant leaders to better organize this chain – from production to marketing – in the first peasant organization, but also with external partners to ensure opportunities.

On their return to Madagascar, elected officials and executives Fifata as executives and advisors CAP Malagasy will retain the memory of Reunion producers involved in the heart of the action in the sector to agricultural policies. An investment that require them still more professionalism and control their production tools (health standards, adaptation to market needs, etc.). Organized, they can contact their Ministry and thus hope to be heard in their demands – implementation of demand for agricultural infrastructure such as dams, warehouses for example – and their proposals for production and marketing. In return, the authorities can rely on farming to meet the needs of local consumers.