Visit of consultants from ARD Inc. at the Secretariat

Mr Mark Freudenberger, Specialist in Rural Development and Mr Steve Dennison; Specialist in Environment, both from the ARD Consulting Group visited the Secretariat of the SRI Platform in mid-january 2009. The ARD Consulting Group is one of the potential contractors that will submit proposal in regard to the RFP that USAID Madagascar will launch very soon.

The purpose of their visit was to be informed about progress made on SRI in Madagascar and the orientation taken by the Secretariat. It was explained to them that the Secretariat is currently trying to capitalize SRI experience through a SRI sheet that was distributed to partners/actors. The sheet will be compiled in order to set up a SRI database which will be made available to all SRI actors. The Secretariat is; on the other hand; collaborating with SRI actors in order to establish a list of input providers (organic fertilizer, small equipment) that will facilitate the access of farmers into those inputs.

Mr Freudenberger then asked if the Secretariat was willing to be considered as a potential partner on SRI promotion in regard to their proposal. Since ARD and the Secretariat had the same vision for SRI diffusion, the Secretariat is very keen to collaborate with ARD in any aspect of SRI promotion.  A written convention will be set once ARD responds to the request from USAID. A follow-up discussion will be undertaken between the Secretariat and ARD.