ECLISE World : portrait of FOFIFA-DRZVP in Madagascar
Every month, we take you to meet one of our partners in the Indian Ocean. In October, we head for Madagascar where the FOFIFA-DRZVP (Zootechnical, Veterinary and Fish Research Department) contributes to research on the development of animal husbandry in Madagascar.
FOFIFA DRZVP researchers in the field © Tsirinirina Donnah Razafinarivo, FOFIFA
History of the FOFIFA-DRZVP
The Department of Zootechnical and Veterinary Research (DRZV) is one of the six scientific departments of FOFIFA (or CENRADERU). Created in 1974, it gathers the research institutes in Madagascar around this same institution.
This is the case of the DRZV. Set up in 1955 in Ampandrianomby, it was managed by the Institute of Livestock and Veterinary Medicine of Tropical Countries (IEMVT) until 1974 when it was attached to the FOFIFA. In 1996, the Vaccine Unit broke away from the DRZV to become an independent vaccine research and production centre which is now called the I.M.VA.VET. Research activities on fish farming will be developed from 2015 and integrated into the DRZV, hence the addition of the letter "P" to the DRZV acronym.
Currently, FOFIFA-DRZVP is the largest livestock research centre in Madagascar, with three research stations and four livestock research units.
THE FOFIFA DRZVP IN A FEW FIGURES
RESEARCH UNITS
Animal health
This unit has 5 laboratories (Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, Parasitology and Molecular Biology).
The microbiology laboratory deals with infections of bacterial and viral origin of all species of livestock throughout the island. For this purpose, the laboratory undertakes serological tests, manipulations and microbial identification as well as molecular examinations of pathogens (isolation, biochemical, genetic, molecular and phenotypic characterisation, etc.). To do so, the unit has access to equipment of sufficient quality and qualified researchers.
In the parasitology laboratory, work is carried out on parasites presenting a risk of infestation on all species of farm animals (internal and external). Research activities for the identification and characterisation of parasites and the development of means of pest control are carried out in the field and in the laboratories.
Researcher in microbiology © Tsirinirina Donnah Razafinarivo FOFIFA
The animal health research unit also carries out research in various fields such as epidemiology, risk analysis, mapping and social network analysis through individual and participatory surveys in addition to laboratory analysis.
Animal Reproduction and Genetics
In order to control the reproduction of the animals, milk or blood tests are carried out in the laboratory dedicated to reproduction. Using the Radio Immuno-Assay or RIA technique, it is thus possible to determine the progesterone level. This unit also has an ultrasound scanner for the diagnosis of animal gestation. Its mission is to contribute to the implementation of the National Research Strategy on Reproduction in Madagascar. In order to characterise the quality of milk, the laboratory also has equipment such as the Lactoscan and the Somatic cell counter for the physico-chemical and micro-biological analysis of milk.
The main objective of the animal genetics laboratory is to genetically characterize farm animals in order to improve their productivity. The methods used are mainly molecular techniques: PCR - RFLP, population genetics.
Animal Reproduction and Genetics Unit © Tsirinirina Donnah Razafinarivo FOFIFA
Animal Nutrition and Feed
This unit has a chemical laboratory for the analysis and control of animal feed. Research is mainly focused on the strategic management of natural resources through the valorisation of by-products and non-conventional feedstuffs for animal nutrition. To this end, this laboratory carries out the determination of nutritional values (proteins, lipids, fibres, etc.) of raw materials intended for animal feed.
It also studies the anti-nutritional factors in these raw materials and/or compound feeds (feedstuffs), both from local products and imported products, intended for animal feed. At the end of the analyses and controls, it issues analysis reports/certificates of good quality attesting in particular to the absence of animal meal of terrestrial origin.
This laboratory is the only structure in Madagascar with the status of an approved reference laboratory for the determination of the quality of animal feed resources intended for export or import. This unit also carries out analyses of the nutritional quality of feed by spectrometric analyses (SPIR) but also large-scale analyses of the availability of fodder resources and animal carrying capacity by using remote sensing via 3C-BIOVIS software.
Animal Nutrition and Feed Unit © Tsirinirina Donnah Razafinarivo FOFIFA
Fish farming
This unit has a team of qualified researchers in the field of zootechnics in aquaculture. It is mainly involved in action-research activities supporting the development of freshwater fish farming in Madagascar. To this end, the unit has experience in integrated systems, in particular rice-fish farming; the reproduction and production of tilapia and carp; and studies on the health and safety of fish products.
The unit also has a biochemical and water analysis laboratory. This laboratory was created in 2017. Its mission is to characterise water quality and trophic interactions in aquatic systems (water, sediment, plants and fish). Although the laboratory was only recently put into operation, it is currently capable of carrying out a complete analysis of nutrients in water (Potassium, Ammonium, Nitrate, Nitrite, Iron, Phosphate, Sulphate) and chlorophyll. Furthermore, the laboratory is also equipped to prepare samples of organic matrices (water, sediments, plants, animals) for the analysis of fatty acids and stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon.
ACTIVITIES WITH the CIRAD
FOFIFA DRZVP is in partnership with the CIRAD on several projects:
ECLIPSE: In this project, FOFIFA-DRZVP aims to carry out LASER monitoring of the zootechnical performance of cattle in Madagascar. At the same time, SPIR analyses of several fodder samples in several regions of Madagascar have been carried out.
JEAIRD Viro-Mada project and CRESI project: molecular characterisation of the Newcastle disease virus in Madagascar.
Project TROI: study of animal mobility in Madagascar (poultry) and its relation with the spread of avian plagues + characterisation of the resistance of Nematodes to anthelmintic diseases in cattle.
EcoAfrica: Micro-silage silage production
NIF NAF project: socio-eco-epidemiological analysis of African Swine Fever in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Interreg V Qualinnov II project: Mapping of areas at risk of swine cysticercosis in the Itasy Region and mapping of areas at risk of fish contamination with trace metal elements using the Spatial Multicriteria Decision Analysis method.
AMPIANA II Project: Support for the development of freshwater fish farming in Analamanga.
FUTURE PROJECTS
- Isolation and biochemical characterisation of the agent responsible for Menatinay (dominant diseases of small ruminants)
- Isolation and molecular characterisation of contagious echtyma (dominant diseases of small ruminants)
- Characterisation of bovine phenotypes and genotypes in Madagascar.
- Creation of a laboratory for the production and quality control of animal seeds
- Determination of forage production using Multispectral UAVs
- Epidemiology and control of African Swine Fever
- Support to the Fish Markets in Analamanga
- Rice cultivation and control of intermediate hosts of Trematodes
- Use of medicinal plants to combat microbial agents
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CONTACT
RALINIAINA Modestine
Microbiology / Parasitology, Molecular Genetics (DMV, PhD)
rali_mod@yahoo.fr, +261 34 14 950 23
RAPATSALAHY Sabine Razanamaro
Breeding (Animal Feed)
sabynrap@yahoo.fr , 0 33 11 135 75 and 0 34 811 11
Grade: Research Assistant, Exceptional Grade 1st step
ARSENE
Breeding discipline (Animal Nutrition)
Contact: 0 34 02 135 91 and 033 12 135 91 arsramanana@yahoo.fr
Grade: Research Assistant, EXCEPTIONAL CLASS 1st step
MAMINIAINA Olivier Fridolin
Disciplines: Microbiology and Bioinformatics (PhD)
maminiaina.fridolin@gmail.com / +261 33 14 950 72
RAKOTOMANANA Olga Rachel
Disciplines: Food and Animal Nutrition
Contacts: olgarachelrakotomanana@gmail.com / Tel: 034 14 950 69 / 032 02 003 40
Rank: Doctor (PhD) Master of Research, 2nd Class, 1st Echelon
RASAMOEL Patrick Marie de Valois
Disciplines: Biochemistry Applied to Medical Sciences, Immunology.
Contacts (mail and telephone): raspatmdv@gmail.com, 034 16 752 93, 032 21 435 00
Rank: Doctorate, Master of Research
MICHELLE Queen Lucie Marie
Disciplines: Reproduction and Animal Genetics
Contacts: luciedrzv@gmail.com, 034 21 716 77
Grade: Agricultural Engineer
Rahaga Norosoa
Disciplines: Parasitology and Socio-economics
Contact: 0341495068. rahaga.norosoa@gmail.com
Grade: Research Assistant
ANDRIA MANANJARA Diana Edithe
Discipline: Fish Farming, Animal Health
Contacts: adianaedith@gmail.com, 034 61 868 55
Degree: Veterinary Doctor, Master in Integrated Health Risk Management
RAMAROSON Herilantonirina Solotiana
Discipline: Animal Health
Contacts: soloherilanto@gmail.com, 034 38 286 90
Rank: Veterinary Doctor
RAKOTOARINORO Mihajamanana
Discipline: Animal Health
Contacts: rkt.mihaja@gmail.com, 032 46 943 42
Rank: Veterinary Doctor
RAKOTOMANANA Oniniriana Domoina
Discipline: Fish farming,
Contacts: domoinarakotomanana@yahoo.fr, 034 36 148 90
Rank: Veterinary Doctor
Name and surname: RAZAFINARIVO Tsirinirina Donnah
Discipline: Animal nutrition and remote sensing
Contacts: razafinarivotsiry@gmail.com +261 34 68 897 13
Degree: Doctor of Agricultural Sciences (PhD)
RALAMBOMANANA Norbertin
Disciplines: Reproduction and Animal Genetics
Contacts: norbertinralambo@gmail.com + 261 (0) 34 14 950 71
Grade: Outstanding Agricultural Engineer, 1st step
RASAMBAINARIVO John Henri
Discipline: Animal Health and Nutrition
Contacts: jrasamb@gmail.com +261 (0) 34 01 988 60
Grade: Professor Emeritus
RAKOTOAMBININA Samuel
Discipline: Fishing and fish farming
Contacts: sami.rakotoambinina@gmail.com +261 (0) 33 11 411 98
Grade: Doctor of Fisheries (PhD)
RAZAFINDRAFARA Mirantsoa Suzanne
Discipline: Animal Health: Microbiology, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics
Contacts : mirantsoarazaf@gmail.com / 00 261 34 46 365 92
Degree: Research assistant at the DRZVP, Doctoral student in life and environmental sciences.