Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre

We have over 60 Malagasy colleagues based at our third research site working to protect Madagascar's unique flora.

Terraces of green grass in Madagascar

Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island and a global biodiversity hotspot.

Vast grasslands shaped by ancient creatures, tropical forests and deserts are just some of the ecosystems found on this incredibly unique island. 

These ecosystems are home to an enormous array of distinct plants and animals found nowhere else in the world, including ring-tailed lemurs and sacred baobabs.

Kew has been working in Madagascar since 1986, protecting the critically threatened megadiverse environment.

The Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre (KMCC) is RBG Kew’s third research site and only overseas office. 

Illegal deforestation, slash and burn agriculture and the overexploitation of natural resources are devastating habitats as Madagascar’s population strive for survival and economic development.

Situated in the country’s capital Antananarivo, a team of Malagasy scientists, students and support staff work with collaborators, local partners and communities to safeguard rare plant species, protect grasslands to improve livelihoods and conserve wild yams to increase food security.

Behind the scenes at the Kew Madagascar Conservation Centre

See how a team of 60 incredible staff are protecting Madagascar's biodiversity and people

Projects

  • Madagascan farmer sat on a cart of grass being pulled by cattle

    Digitaria grasses: diversity and agricultural interactions in Madagascar

    Improving the productivity and resilience of smallholder farmers through the improvement of weed management practices.

  • Yams laid out on road

    Sustainable yam markets for conservation and food security in Madagascar

    Increasing incomes and enhancing nutrition from wild and cultivated Malagasy yams.

  • Grasses and savannas of Madagascar

    Grasses and savannas of Madagascar

    Understanding and conserving Madagascar's grasslands.

  • Students receiving training amongst trees of dense rainforest

    Today’s Flora for Tomorrow (Madagascar)

    Give digital access to and work towards the conservation of plants and fungi of Madagascar while training the next generation.

Updates on our work in Madagascar

  • Four cows with horns grazing on grass in Madagascar

    Madagascar's useful and weedy Digitaria grasses

    Kew Madagascar researchers have been undertaking fieldwork to build up our understanding of grasses to benefit local smallholder farmers.

  • Cooked yellow yam

    Saving wild yams

    Many rural communities opt for wild species of yams and many are threatened by extinction.

  • Drone photo showing large area of cleared forest

    Seeking burnt forest for restoration

    Our scientists have been using drones in Madagascar to seek out burnt forest sites that can be restored and regenerated.

Teams