Construction of a sapling propagation tissue laboratory in Madagascar as part of the country's reforestation program

In recent decades, the illegal logging of rainforests has become a chronic problem in Madagascar, primarily because wood is the most important resource for the local construction industry. To halt this ecologically devastating process, the local government launched the country's reforestation program. The Madagascar Foundation joined this effort by constructing a tissue culture laboratory and greenhouse for the propagation of non-invasive tree species. This laboratory, operating with unique technology in the country, will be capable of producing hundreds of thousands of saplings annually, providing a livelihood for local farmers, reducing the rate of illegal logging, and mitigating the negative effects of climate change, thereby promoting sustainable environmental management. The high-value Hungarian development, combined with the necessary knowledge transfer for operation, offers unique opportunities for local farmers, as the technology can later be applied to propagate other crops and vegetables.