The FYVARY rice research project ended today, 8 September 2022. FYVARY is a project under the aegis of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock since 2017, funded by the Malagasy government jointly with the Japanese government...

Many research results have come out of this project, including for example the new rice varieties FYVARY 85 and FYVARY 32, designed for wastelands and able to resist climate change. It is also the technique of soaking rice roots with phosphorus fertiliser before transplanting or P-Dipping. These research results have solved the problem of rice cultivation in the centre of the country, thanks to the efforts of Malagasy researchers from FOFIFA and Japanese technicians.

The problem with the highland soil is that it is very acidic and contains iron oxide and aluminium oxide, which is a component that prevents phosphorus from being absorbed by the growing rice so that the rice cannot obtain the phosphorus it needs. Phosphorus, which is one of the elements that rice needs to grow and produce well.

The P-Dipping technique is a method of improving rice fields, to be more productive, for highland areas. It is based on soaking the rice roots with phosphorous fertiliser before transplanting or P-Dipping. Using the technique allows transplanted rice to produce quickly. It also halves the amount of fertiliser used and reduces costs. Crops using P-Dipping shorten the growth cycle of rice and are more resistant to drought.

Message from the Bishops at the end of the Pilgrimage

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, You who have come in such large numbers to take part in this national pilgrimage, as well as all of you who are following it from home through the media. We, the bishops of Madagascar, would like to express our deep gratitude to you for having responded to our invitation and for having brought this jubilee initiated by Pope Francis to life spiritually. With you, we take up Mary's song: ‘My soul exalts the Lord’ and we repeat with her: ‘What shall I repay the Lord for all the good he has done me?’....

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Love and Salvation

Christmas is a great joy, because it is the love of God that has come to us, proclaims Fr. Bizimana Innocent, Provincial Superior of the Salesians Don Bosco of Madagascar and Mauritius, presenting his Christmas greetings. Salvation is accomplished, so life is not in danger of disappearing. It is this love and this salvation that we wish to fill our life so that we have peace.

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Zatti, our brother

The short film "Zatti, our brother" (Argentina, 2020) focuses on one of the most difficult episodes of his life. We are in Viedma, in 1941: at the age of 60, Zatti is forced to leave the hospital he has attended for decades. His faith and strength are tested.

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