HIMO Routes/DEFIS Project in Madagascar

The current project follows on from the first phase, which is being carried out over the period from July 2019 to December 2022, through an ILO technical support project for the DEFIS Program, with work to rehabilitate 52 km of roads as training sites for 28 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and 9 Design Offices (DOs), adding to the list of SMEs and labor-based DOs already available.

Objectives

The skills of local players are strengthened and jobs are created for the rehabilitation of rural roads and hydro-agricultural development using the HIMO approach in Madagascar, while supporting the sustainability of infrastructures.

Thus, in the current phase, still through the implementation of a HIMO investment program, the objectives are as follows:

• The skills and competencies of SMEs and BEs are strengthened through the rehabilitation of rural roads and hydro-agricultural development using the HIMO approach, thanks to the implementation of worksite-schools and application worksites;
• The capacities of communes, as local development players, are strengthened, and local associations and organizations are supported to ensure the sustainability of the infrastructures built during the first phase mentioned above.

© ILO

© ILO

Results

Regarding the development of irrigated areas, the results obtained as of December 31, 2024, are as follows:

• Number of irrigated areas developed: 5
• Total length of canals developed: over 38 kilometers
• Total irrigated area: 1,972 hectares
• Direct jobs created for local beneficiaries (man-days): 19,000 man-days
• Direct jobs created for local beneficiaries (number of employees): 625, with 52% women and 56% youth. - Direct jobs created for local team leaders (man-days): 820
• Direct jobs created for local team leaders (number of employees): 28, with 36% women and 86% youth
• Number of team leaders who received training based on the structured HIMO approach: 33
• Total payroll distributed to beneficiaries and team leaders: USD 54,977

For the road rehabilitation, work is scheduled for completion by June 2025.

Regarding the training of SMEs and design offices, the results are as follows:

• Number of Design Offices trained: 14
• Number of Construction Supervisors trained: 28
• Number of Design and Inspection Engineers trained: 14
• Number of SMEs trained: 30
• Number of Site Managers trained: 27
• Number of Construction Engineers trained: 30
• Number of Senior Managers trained: 27

Regarding support activities for municipalities and the sustainability of roads rehabilitated under the previous project, the animation, preparation and training phases have been completed; the project is currently in the routine maintenance phase.