Sustainable Forested Landscapes in Eastern Madagascar

Small-holder farmers in the eastern coast of Madagascar are affected by climate change that is causing more frequent and intense cyclones, floods, and erratic rainfalls. These extreme weather events have been reducing farmers’ yields of rice and cassava, leading to food shortages for several months (up to 6 months).

“By reforesting some agricultural lands, farmers have more fertile soils and forest products - improving local food production and livelihoods”

... Dr. Zo Lalaina - Chief of Party for Madagascar GCF Project

• Introducing climate smart agriculture practices (agroforestry, irrigation/ drainage, resistant crops, off-season rice, mulching, no tillage, terracing);

• Diversifying livelihoods with ecosystem-based activities defined with communities (beekeeping, fishponds, leaves handcrafts);

• Establishing a climate change trust fund that will support farmers with small grants for investing in climate smart agriculture practices;

• Mainstreaming climate smart agriculture in regional and local development plans.

• Changing rural farmers livelihoods to be more diversified, resilient, and financially sustainable with climate-smart agriculture.

• Changing local and regional land management plans to include climate change considerations.

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• Shifting from food insecure family-based agriculture to more resilient market-based agriculture.

• Reversing the trend of forest degradation by shifting away from unsustainable forest uses thanks to improved agriculture.