According to the Bank’s website, the Lower Mangoky Irrigation Area Extension Project – Phase II (PEPBM II) supports the Government of Madagascar in developing climate-resilient irrigation infrastructure and strengthening agricultural value chains in the Atsimo-Andrefana region. The project has a total cost of UA 36.57 million, financed through an African Development Fund loan of UA 23.50 million and a Transition Support Facility loan of UA 11.33 million, complemented by a government in-kind contribution of UA 1.74 million, with no external co-financiers. Building on the achievements of Phase I, the project focuses on expanding and rehabilitating irrigation schemes, improving water management governance, and promoting agribusiness development. It aligns with Madagascar’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), contributes to climate adaptation and low-carbon agriculture, and supports the African Development Bank’s High 5 priority “Feed Africa” by strengthening food security, resilience and rural development in a region highly vulnerable to climate shocks.

The project aims to increase rice production and improve the incomes of agricultural actors in southwestern Madagascar by enhancing irrigation infrastructure and strengthening agricultural productivity. It focuses on developing hydro-agricultural systems, improving water management and fee collection mechanisms, and scaling up innovative approaches to support farmers, cooperatives and small agribusinesses. The project also promotes value chain development, access to agricultural inputs and financing, and improved farming practices to increase yields and resilience. By strengthening governance and introducing climate-adaptive solutions, the project contributes to sustainable agricultural growth and job creation, particularly for youth and women.

Environmental Category: [1] High Risk

The project’s classification under Category 1 was confirmed on 29 February 2024. This classification is justified by the sensitivity of the environment in which it will be implemented (due to its proximity to the Mangoky-Ihotry Protected Area Complex) and the magnitude of the expected project environmental and social risks. The project will carry out development and rehabilitation works in the irrigation area covering a total surface area of 2 963 hectares, necessitating the resettlement of 340 project-affected persons (PAPs); execute infrastructure desilting works upstream of the area; protect the Mangoky watershed to reduce the transportation of sediments in the Mangoky River; and develop 2 963 hectares of farmland after the land allocation and tenure securement.

The main project environmental and social impacts include: (i) loss of 1 322 hectares of vegetation cover; (ii) a reduction in available grazing land for at least 2 709 heads of zebu cattle; (iii) loss of economic income by 340 PAPs; (iv) permanent loss of 54.19 hectares of land; and (v) temporary loss of 541.94 hectares of land. The main environmental and social risks identified are: (i) the potential loss of 400 Adansonia grandidieri trees (an endemic species); (ii) the desecration of sacred sites (cemeteries, fihamy, and places of worship); (iii) soil and water pollution due to the use of pesticides; (iv) deterioration of air quality; (v) occupational health and safety risks; (vi) social conflicts related to the recruitment of workers and the redistribution of land; (vii) the exclusion of vulnerable households from land access; (viii) an increase in vector-borne diseases; (ix) gender-based violence (GBV); and (x) the spread of STDs/HIV.

The Involuntary resettlement risks are associated with the permanent loss of 54.19 hectares of land and the temporary loss of 541.94 hectares, as well as the economic income losses that will be incurred by 340 people.

The project has a total cost of UA 36.57 million, financed through an African Development Fund loan of UA 23.50 million and a Transition Support Facility loan of UA 11.33 million, complemented by a government in-kind contribution of UA 1.74 million, with no external co-financiers.

Finance Type: Loan
Commitments (UA): 34,828,687
Conversion Rate USD (2026-03-10): 1,36276

Name: Aminata SOW
Email: a.sow@afdb.org

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

You can submit an information request for project information at: https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/request-for-documents. Under the AfDBs Disclosure and Access to Information policy, if you feel the Bank has omitted to publish information or your request for information is unreasonably denied, you can file an appeal at https://www.afdb.org/en/disclosure-and-access-to-information/appeals-process.

ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM OF AfDB

The Independent Review Mechanism (IRM), which is administered by the Compliance Review and Mediation Unit (CRMU), is the independent complaint mechanism and fact-finding body for people who have been or are likely to be adversely affected by an African Development Bank (AfDB)-financed project. If you submit a complaint to the IRM, it may assist you by either seeking to address your problems by facilitating a dispute resolution dialogue between you and those implementing the project and/or investigating whether the AfDB complied with its policies to prevent environmental and social harms. You can submit a complaint electronically by emailing crmuinfo@afdb.org, b.kargougou@afdb.org, b.fall@afdb.org, and/or s.toure@afdb.org. You can learn more about the IRM and how to file a complaint at: https://www.afdb.org/en/independent-review-mechanism/