Prof. Xing Yaowu, director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), headed up a delegation to Madagascar from October 9 to 16. The visit helped XTBG forge partnerships with University of Vakinankaratra and University of Antananarivo, with signing memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with them respectively to enhance tropical biodiversity studies.

XTBG researchers held talks with Ononamandimby Antsonantenainarivony, president of the University of Vakinankaratra, and other representatives. The two sides discussed cooperation in biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, surveys of native plant resources, development and utilization of plant resources, and joint postgraduate training. Afterwards, they signed an MoU.

At the University of Antananarivo, Xing Yaowu and President Rivoarison Randrianasolo exchanged ideas on botanical diversity surveys in Madagascar, joint postgraduate training and joint development of research platforms, and reached consensus on practical cooperation. They then signed an MoU.

XTBG delegation also conducted field surveys at Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, Mandraka Forest Station, and the woody plant herbarium (TEF) and the National Forest Seed Bank (Silo National des Graines Forestières). They had an understanding on the operation of field stations, habitat management in protected areas, specimen collection and management, and wild plant seeds collection and conservation. They also held on-site discussions on data sharing and joint research.

Madagascar is one of the biodiversity hotspots in the world. Forging partnerships with the two universities, XTBG sets a step to expand its cooperation network for tropical biodiversity research in Africa.

XTBG and University of Vakinankaratra sign MoU.

XTBG and University of Antananarivo sign MoU.

Field visits.

XTBG delegation and representatives of  University of Antananarivo pose a group photo.