Our local partner Bôndy has successfully established their CAAT Research Center (Climate Adaptation & Agroecological Transition) in Tamatave, Madagascar, which became fully operational by the end of September 2025.

It’s a research and action platform created to support agricultural transition and climate adaptation across the country. The goal is to develop local, practical and inclusive solutions to help smallholder farmers cope with the effects of climate change, while valuing traditional know-how and low-tech approaches inspired by circular and regenerative economy models.

The center promotes agro-ecology and resilient farming practices, such as composting, green manure, water-efficient irrigation and crop diversification. It also serves as an inclusive hub, combining:

• A large nursery that will produce up to 400 000 trees per year by 2029
• A meteorological station and a network of low-cost climate sensors
• A training and research program welcoming farmers, students and researchers to bridge science, community and practice
• Demonstration plots to test agroforestry models (cacao, coffee, food crops, reforestation)
• Capacity-building and awareness programs for local farmers
• Participatory research designed around farmers’ real needs and local biodiversity
• The development of sustainable technologies, including a connected irrigation system and digital tools for climate monitoring

The project has been supported by:

• The European Union, through the ALBATROSS program, promoting holistic climate services and nature-based solutions across Africa
• The USAID MITSIRY, which initially supported the nursery, training and sustainable farming initiatives. While USAID’s program has ended, BONDY continues to lead the project to ensure its ongoing impact.

With the CAAT Research Center fully operational, this hub is now set to strengthen climate-smart agriculture, research and community empowerment in Madagascar.