Programme for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (DEFIS)

The DEFIS programme is a 10-year initiative (2018–2028) in Southern Madagascar designed to transform the agricultural sector from subsistence to market-oriented production. With a total indicative cost of USD 250 million, the programme targets 1.6 million beneficiaries across eight regions. It focuses on three main components: enhancing the productivity and resilience of agricultural and livestock systems through water mobilization and climate-smart inputs; developing inclusive supply chains by strengthening producer organizations and improving post-harvest infrastructure; and providing institutional support, including the extension of a drought early warning system. The programme specifically targets women and youth, aiming for 30% representation in its 320,000 beneficiary family agricultural enterprises.

• Southern Madagascar is highly vulnerable to climate change, with average temperatures increasing from 21.5 to 22.4 degrees Celsius over recent decades, and up to 60% of the region regularly experiencing water shortages.
• The programme aims to reach 1.6 million direct beneficiaries, including 320,000 family agricultural enterprises, with a specific target that 30% of these beneficiaries are women or youth.
• DEFIS will implement specific water mobilization technologies to combat drought, including the up-scaling of sand-filled underground water tanks (SFUWT) in sedimentary zones and the design of buffer reservoirs in upper watersheds.
• The programme focuses on developing climate-resilient value chains, specifically supporting the development of sorghum and millet for drought-prone areas and promoting cajanus (Pigeon Pea) to reduce wind erosion.
• To improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses, the programme will fund the construction of village granaries, bulking facilities, and the upgrade of rural roads to ensure connectivity during climate extremes.
• Institutional support includes extending the Information System on Food Security and Vulnerability (SISAV), an early warning system for drought, to the eight targeted regions.
• The total indicative cost of the programme is USD 250 million, with USD 15 million requested as a grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to cover additional costs for climate-proofing infrastructure and research.

APA

Green Climate Fund (2018). Programme for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (DEFIS). https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/19850-increase-resilience-climate-change-smallholders-receiving-services-inclusive-agricultural.pdf

Chicago

Green Climate Fund. Programme for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (DEFIS). 2018. https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/19850-increase-resilience-climate-change-smallholders-receiving-services-inclusive-agricultural.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Green Climate Fund |title=Programme for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (DEFIS) |date=5 April 2018 |url=https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/19850-increase-resilience-climate-change-smallholders-receiving-services-inclusive-agricultural.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greenclimatefund2018programme, author = {{Green Climate Fund}}, title = {{Programme for Inclusive Agricultural Transformation (DEFIS)}}, institution = {Green Climate Fund}, year = {2018}, month = apr, url = {https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/document/19850-increase-resilience-climate-change-smallholders-receiving-services-inclusive-agricultural.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }