Opening of FIER Mada/Ouverture de FIER Mada

The annual "FIER Mada" event opened yesterday morning on the grounds of the École de Sacre Coeur d'Antanimena (ESCA).  The Foire Internationale de l'Economie Rurale (International Fair for Rural Economy) is an opportunity for farmers' groups, local associations, international NGOs, rural development programs, ministerial departments, the private sector and so on to showcase their work linked with agriculture and rural development.  It is usually a very well-attended event and is expected to attract several thousand visitors over the five days, August 5th - 9th.  

The Secretariat and members of the SRI Group of Madagascar organized, for the first time, a stand for the SRI Group of Madagascar.  Partners brought materials to display and/or hand out (brochures, weeders, posters, DVDs, t-shirts emblazened with SRI logos, sacks of Guanomad, etc.).  They are taking turns manning the stand over the five-day fair and Secretariat staff will be there throughout in order to answer questions and provide information about SRI methods and about the SRI Group.  It is an excellent opportunity for members of the SRI Group to share with others the Group's objectives and their various activities with the goal of making known the advantages of SRI, furthering its dissemination around Madagascar and generating new interest.