In a meeting held during the 33rd Africa Regional Ministerial Conference in Rabat, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu engaged with His Excellency Paubert Tsimanaoraty Mahatante, Minister for Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Madagascar, to address key challenges facing the country’s fisheries sector.
Minister Mahatante expressed gratitude for FAO’s collaboration and sought increased support, particularly in acquiring modern fishing equipment to mitigate substantial post-harvesting losses. Emphasizing the need for enhanced technical assistance, he highlighted difficulties in marine data capturing and stock assessment.
Additionally, the Minister highlighted the dependency on imported aqua feed, burdened by heavy taxes, resulting in inflated fish prices.
In response, the Director-General reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to providing comprehensive technical support through its Country Office. He urged Madagascar to participate in the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum at FAO headquarters in Rome, scheduled for October 2024, to leverage marketing opportunities and attract investments.
Furthermore, he encouraged collaboration with Morocco, a leader in agrifood systems transformation, particularly in the exchange of knowledge and experiences within the aquaculture sector.
This meeting underscores FAO’s dedication to supporting Madagascar’s fisheries sector, addressing critical needs for equipment, data management, and aqua feed accessibility. Collaboration with Morocco presents an opportunity for mutual learning and advancement in sustainable aquaculture practices.
With FAO’s continued support and engagement, Madagascar aims to bolster its fisheries industry, ensuring economic growth and food security for its populace.
Source-FAO