New Rice Varieties

With our local partner FOFIFA we released two new lowland varieties that have improved adaptation to the low-input conditions prevailing on small-holder farms in Madagascar, yet are responsive to improved soil fertility or fertilizer inputs.

Variety FyVary 32 - A result of the Pup1 breeding efforts between JIRCAS, IRRI and FOFIFA.

Variety FyVary 84 - Selected from a cross of IR64 and a donor of several P utilization and uptake traits, DJ123.

Final evaluation of new varieties together with local checks. In the foreground is FyVary 85, the highest yielding entry with 20% higher yield compared to local check X265 (3rd on the left with yellowish straw). FyVary 32 (2nd on left and last on right) with 16% yield advantage and best response to improved soil fertility.

Varieties were officially released during a ceremony on November 4^th hosted by FOFIFA and attended by the general secretaries of the ministries of education and of agriculture, who handed over the newly released varieties in a symbolic gesture to farmer representatives. The event was covered by the national press.