Biodiversity Action: As COP17 approaches, the FAO says more than a third of actions in 78 national biodiversity plans involve food systems—but countries need stronger monitoring and practical support to turn pledges into results. Food and Climate: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, with drought and El Niño reducing harvests. Meanwhile, hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares, yielding two to three times more than traditional varieties. Mining Pressure: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s permit for rare-earth exploitation at Ampasindava, renewing concerns over the environmental and social impacts of mining. Conservation: A US zoo has awarded $10,900 for lemur education and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve. Weather Readiness: Meteorological staff from Madagascar and three other Indian Ocean nations trained in open-source tools to organise weather records and support forecasts and flood warnings.
AGP Executive Report
Your go-to archive of top headlines, summarized for quick and easy reading.
Note: AI summary from news headlines; neutral sources weighted more to help reduce bias in the result. Feedback is welcome. Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions about the AGP Executive Report.
Food Security: Madagascar faces acute hunger for 3.7 million people, including about 426,000 in critical need, as drought and El Niño cut rice, cassava and maize harvests and push up food prices. Farming: Hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares, with average yields reported at 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times traditional varieties—offering a boost as farmers prepare for the rainy season. Climate Readiness: Malagasy researchers joined African scientists trained in digital tools for managing natural resources, while weather technicians from Madagascar and three island nations learned to organize climate and water records for better forecasting and warnings. Mining Pressure: Madagascar has formalized Harena’s exploitation permit for the Ampasindava rare-earth deposit on the northwest coast. Wildlife: A U.S. zoo awarded $10,900 for lemur conservation education and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve; Madagascar also joined a new international coalition to restore endangered species.
Food and Farming: Chinese-developed hybrid rice now covers about 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Farmers are preparing fields near Lake Alaotra as the rainy season approaches. Research and Resilience: Scientists from Madagascar joined a regional training in digital tools for natural-resource management, while meteorological staff from Madagascar and three other Indian Ocean nations learned to organise weather records for forecasts and warnings. Food Security: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity. Reduced rainfall linked to El Niño has hurt harvests of rice, cassava and maize, pushing up food prices. Wildlife: Madagascar is among 16 founding members of a new international coalition to recover endangered species. In a separate conservation effort, a U.S. zoo awarded $10,900 to support lemur education and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve.
Species Protection: Madagascar is among 16 founding governments of a new international coalition to recover endangered species, launched at COP17 in Yerevan. Food and Climate: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions, as low rainfall and El Niño cut harvests and push up food prices. Aid groups warn families in the south are already short of food ahead of a strengthening El Niño. Early Warnings: Meteorological staff from Madagascar and three Indian Ocean neighbours trained in Seychelles to use free, open-source tools to organise weather and water records — information that can support flood warnings and forecasts. Farming: Chinese-supported hybrid rice has been grown on 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded $10,900 to support conservation education and teacher training near Madagascar’s Anja Community Reserve.
Mining and Indigenous Rights: Indigenous advocates in Madagascar are joining opposition to Energy Fuels, warning of shared concerns over the company’s mining activities. Food Security: About 3.7 million people in Madagascar face acute food insecurity, including 426,000 in critical conditions. Low rainfall linked to El Niño has cut rice, cassava and maize harvests, driving shortages and higher prices. Rice and Livelihoods: Hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares, with reported yields two to three times those of traditional varieties, offering farmers a boost as the country faces food shortages. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded $10,900 to support conservation education, World Lemur Festival activities and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve.
Climate and Food Security: El Niño is strengthening, and families in southern Madagascar are already facing food shortages earlier than usual. Aid groups warn that another poor harvest could deepen hardship. Rice Farming: Chinese hybrid rice has spread across 90,000 hectares in Madagascar, averaging about 7.5 tonnes per hectare—two to three times the yield of traditional varieties—as the next planting season approaches. Lemur Conservation: A US zoo has awarded $10,900 to support conservation education and teacher training near Anja Community Reserve, as habitat loss and hunting threaten Madagascar’s lemurs. Mining: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for Ampasindava.
Climate and Food Security: El Niño is strengthening and is expected to persist into February 2027. Aid groups warn that families in southern Madagascar are facing food shortages earlier than usual, and urge governments and donors to help communities prepare for another failed harvest. Mining Permit: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit at Ampasindava, putting a proposed project in the spotlight as its environmental implications warrant scrutiny. Island Conservation: A new survey estimates about 180,000 Aldabra giant tortoises live in the Seychelles—the largest recorded population. Their relatives once lived across Indian Ocean islands, including Madagascar, where giant tortoises are now gone.
Climate and Food Security: El Niño is strengthening, with the World Meteorological Organization expecting it to persist into February. Action Against Hunger says families in southern Madagascar are already facing food shortages earlier than usual and urges governments and donors to help communities prepare for another failed harvest. Forests: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the world remains off track to meet its 2030 goal, and forest losses rose sharply in the Congo Basin. Mining and Biodiversity: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit at Ampasindava, putting renewed focus on how the project will be overseen. Sustainable Agriculture: Researchers are exploring whether biotechnology could help revive Madagascar’s coffee industry.
El Niño and Food Security: With El Niño strengthening, Action Against Hunger says families in southern Madagascar are facing food shortages earlier than usual and urges governments and donors to help communities prepare for another difficult harvest. Forest Loss: Global deforestation fell 15% in 2025, but the world remains off track to end forest loss by 2030, and losses rose in the Congo Basin. Ampasindava Permit: Madagascar has formalized Harena’s exploitation permit for Ampasindava; the report gives no further details on the permit’s conditions or environmental safeguards.
Mining Watch: Madagascar has formalised Harena Rare Earths’ exploitation permit for its Ampasindava project. Environmental approval and social plans are still pending before construction can begin; a funded pilot would test the project’s environmental and social impacts. Indian Ocean Protection: Madagascar joined nine other countries in adopting 15 regional decisions on ocean pollution and marine protection, including a plastic-pollution strategy and plans to prepare for major pollution incidents. Forest Monitoring: Tropical ecologist Zuzana Buřivalová, named the 2026 Pritzker Emerging Environmental Genius, uses forest sound recordings—including in Madagascar—to track wildlife and changes in forest health.
Mining and Nature: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for its Ampasindava rare-earth project. Construction still requires environmental approval and sign-off on social and environmental plans; a pilot backed by US funding is planned. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined regional commitments to tackle plastic pollution and strengthen protection for mangroves, seagrass and critical marine habitats. El Niño Risks: Southern Madagascar is bracing for worsening drought risk as El Niño strengthens, raising concern for communities already facing food insecurity. Lake Alaotra: A 2027 volunteer project with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust will support conservation where the critically endangered Alaotran gentle lemur and endangered Meller’s duck live.
Mining and Conservation: Madagascar has formalised Harena Rare Earths’ Ampasindava exploitation permit. The project still needs environmental approval and sign-off on its environmental and social plans before construction. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined nine other countries in adopting regional measures on plastic pollution, marine-pollution response, and protection of mangroves and seagrass. El Niño Risk: A powerful El Niño is forecast to strengthen through December, raising drought concerns in famine-scarred southern Madagascar as residents prepare for impacts. Clean Energy: Madagascar is among eight African countries included in a UK-backed programme funding clean-energy projects. Lake Alaotra: A 2027 volunteer project with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust will support conservation where the critically endangered Alaotran gentle lemur and endangered Meller’s duck live.
El Niño Threat: The strengthening El Niño could bring greater drought risk to famine-scarred southern Madagascar, as forecasts warn of disrupted rainfall and extreme heat through the coming months. Mining and the Environment: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for its Ampasindava rare-earths project, but construction still depends on environmental and social approvals. A pilot is intended to test those impacts. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined regional partners in adopting plans to tackle plastic pollution and strengthen protection of mangroves, seagrass and marine habitats.
Ampasindava Mining: Madagascar has formalised Harena’s exploitation permit for its rare-earths project, but construction still depends on an environmental permit and approval of environmental and social plans. A US-backed pilot would test the project before it advances. Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar joined regional decisions on plastic pollution, marine emergency response, mangrove protection and seagrass conservation at the Nairobi Convention’s COP12. El Niño Preparations: The weather phenomenon is expected to strengthen through December, raising concern about drought in southern Madagascar, where dry conditions are already visible. Forest Conservation: Tropical forest ecologist Zuzana Buřivalová won UCLA’s 2026 environmental award for using forest sound recordings to track biodiversity; her fieldwork has included Madagascar. Lake Alaotra: A 2027 volunteer programme with Durrell will support conservation around the lake, home to the critically endangered Alaotran gentle lemur and endangered Meller’s duck.
Western Indian Ocean: Nairobi Convention members adopted regional plans on plastic pollution, marine-litter response, seagrass and mangrove protection, aiming to strengthen cooperation across the region. Lake Alaotra: Jersey Overseas Aid is recruiting volunteers for 2027 conservation work with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, focused on habitat for the critically endangered Alaotran gentle lemur and endangered Meller’s duck. El Niño: Southern Madagascar’s farmers are already reporting scarce rain, poorer crops and growing water stress; forecasters warn the strengthening event could raise drought risks and worsen food insecurity. Clean Energy: A UK-backed programme will support projects in Madagascar and seven other African countries, including solar cold storage and hybrid mini-grids, to expand reliable power.
Lake Alaotra Conservation: Jersey Overseas Aid is recruiting volunteers to work with Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust on conservation around Lake Alaotra, home to the critically endangered Alaotran gentle lemur and endangered Meller’s duck. Western Indian Ocean: Nairobi Convention members agreed regional plans to tackle plastic pollution and protect seagrass, mangroves and other critical marine habitats. El Niño Pressure: Farmers in southern Madagascar report scarce rain, worsening crops and growing difficulty accessing water as the powerful El Niño strengthens. Clean Energy: A UK-backed fund is supporting projects in Madagascar and seven other African countries to scale up alternatives to diesel power, including solar systems and mini-grids.
El Niño Risks: The WMO warns the strengthening event could be among the strongest since 1950. In southern Madagascar, scarce rain is already damaging crops and making water harder to access, raising fears of deeper food insecurity. Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania has called for stronger regional cooperation and funding to tackle marine pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change under the Nairobi Convention. Whale Habitat: Research using sightings from waters around Madagascar and neighbouring islands suggests climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat, making flexible conservation protections important. Conservation Science: UCLA’s environmental award went to Zuzana Buřivalová for using forest sound recordings to monitor biodiversity; her fieldwork includes Madagascar. Clean Energy: A UK-backed programme is funding projects in Madagascar and seven other African countries, including renewable power for essential services and businesses.
Western Indian Ocean: Tanzania is urging stronger cooperation and sustainable funding for the Nairobi Convention, which tackles climate change, marine pollution and biodiversity loss across a region vital to fisheries and coastal livelihoods. El Niño Threat: Southern Madagascar is already facing poor harvests and scarce water, with families still vulnerable to hunger after past famine. Forecasters warn the strengthening El Niño could bring severe drought, while UNICEF says extreme weather may also disrupt children’s health and schooling. Marine Wildlife: Research suggests climate change could shrink sperm whale habitat in the southwest Indian Ocean, including waters near Madagascar, making flexible protection important as the whales’ range shifts. Clean Energy: A UK-backed fund is supporting projects in eight African countries, including Madagascar, to scale renewable power for essential services and businesses.
El Niño Threat: A super El Niño formed in September and is expected to strengthen through December. In southern Madagascar, farmers report poor rains, worsening crops and scarce water as communities still scarred by famine brace for greater drought and hunger. Indian Ocean Wildlife: Research drawing on whale sightings and underwater recordings near Madagascar suggests climate change could shrink important sperm whale habitat this century, strengthening the case for conservation plans that can adapt as conditions shift. Clean Energy: UK-backed funding will support 10 clean-energy projects across eight African countries, including Madagascar, with solutions such as solar power and mini-grids intended to replace diesel and improve reliable electricity access.
Climate Pressure: August 2026 tied the global record for hottest month, with temperatures 1.65°C above pre-industrial levels as El Niño strengthens. In southern Madagascar, drought is already worsening crop quality and water shortages; famine-hit communities face greater hunger risks in the months ahead. Conservation: A new $200 million Phoenix Species Project aims to help 100 of the world’s most threatened species recover, including lemurs, through long-term support for conservation groups. Clean Energy: Madagascar is among eight African countries included in 10 UK-backed projects intended to expand reliable renewable power and reduce reliance on diesel generators. Coffee Revival: Madagascar’s government and coffee growers are seeking to rebuild an industry that once produced up to 62,000 tonnes of coffee cherries a year, with biotechnology among the approaches being explored.
Sign up for:
The Madagascar Conservationist
The daily local news briefing you can trust. Every day. Subscribe now.
Check Your Email!
We sent a one-time activation link to: .
Confirm it's you by clicking the email link.
If the email is not in your inbox, check spam or try again.
Welcome back!
is already signed up. Check your inbox for updates.