Biodegradable seed tray for rice farming (ICT) By
Juslain Nomenjanahary Raharinaivo (Madagascar)Juslain obtained his Engineering Degree from the College of
Agronomic Sciences at the University of Antananarivo,
Madagascar. In 1994, he developed a farm in northern
Madagascar to culture mugwort and geranium. He then
created a nursery system to culture both plants in 2008.
Juslain is CEO of FFF Sarlu, the company that produces his
innovation – the biodegradable seed tray for rice farming.
Rice is a staple food in many African countries, constituting
a major part of the diet. With an ongoing demand for
increased rice production, some African countries are
unable to be self-sufficient. To increase rice production,
transplanting of rice seedlings is important, but the cost of
transplanting is high and farmers are hesitant to handle
plants that are too young.
In Madagascar, Juslain’s innovation sows seed in innovative
pots made of paper, called BG or biodegradable
germinators. Growers transplant seedlings into easy-to-
transplant clumps with a high tilling capacity which also
increases rice yields and allow possibilities to expand the
area under cultivation.