Plant Resources of Tropical Africa

Farmers in Sakay village in Madagascar have been producing melons since the 1980s. However, they are slowly losing their market share to farmers in other regions who grow improved melon varieties. The consumer taste is also shifting towards sweeter types of melon.

In May 2006 PROTA started a project to help the farmers in Sakay village regain their market share. The pilot aims to introduce improved melon (Cucumis melo) varieties and train farmers on agronomic practices, in collaboration with the Centre Technique Horticole d’Antananarivo (CTHA).

To-date fifty farmers from the rural council of Marohazo Soavimbahoaka have been taught about all aspects of melon production. They were given essential tools, fertilizers and improved melon seeds to start off commercial cultivation at their farms. The farmers also joined the HortiDimension Cooperative society to facilitate the marketing of their produce.

Farmer Alfred Rakotoarisoa shows one of the new melon varieties that are being produced at Nanisana agricultural research station.

One of the key aspects for the production of juicy melons is the proper application of fertilizer. The project partners are therefore producing a technical guide and poster on fertilizer application. Both materials will be published in the local Malagasy language in 2007.

‘We are very grateful for the PROTA melon project,’ said Razafimandimby Dieu Donné, Leader of the farmer group ‘Fenitra’. ‘The new techniques we learned from CTHA and the application of chemical fertilizers enable us to grow very sweet big melons of up to 800 g.’

Currently three new melon varieties are undergoing trials at Nanisana agricultural research station: ‘Lunastar’, ‘Edgar’ and ‘Theo’. Depending on their performance, they will be introduced to the farmers for commercial production during the upcoming planting season.