Conservation through improved governance and community management in Madagascar
Case Study C0059
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| Date | 2001 |
| Agency | USAID in collaboration with Government of Madagascar |
| Donor/support agency | USAID |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Community conserved area |
| Geographic coverage | Madagascar |
| Locality | Throughout the country |
| Biodiversity focus | Ecosystem/landscape |
| Development focus | Rural people of the project areas |
| Conservation goals | Conserve biologically diverse ecosystems in prioroty conservation zones |
| Poverty reduction goals | None |
Summary
Madagascar is one of the top three global ‘biodiversity hotspots’. It is also the world’s 13th poorest country, which puts enormous pressure on its natural resources. Due to increasing population, more and more people are migrating and settling in forests. Farmers practice slash and burn type of agriculture. There is widespread poverty and food insecurity in the country. Lack of transparent governance in the area of natural resource management has made the situation worse. Since 1990, USAID has been working with the Government of Madagascar (GOM) on environmental and rural development issues and is a lead donor of the Madagascar National Environment Action Plan (NEAP). USAID initiated a dialogue with the GOM to improve governance in fishing, logging and mining. It became a trigger for debt relief under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Programme. The GOM created a new, semi autonomous observatory to enhance improved governance and transparent natural resource management. It established a public-private sector forum to integrate the environmental dimensions into planning for rural development, food security and poverty alleviation. Decentaralised rural development and environmental planning has enhanced the role of rural communities. Under USAID programmes, 380 villages in priority zones are now participating in community-based conservation. These villages have formed Producer Organisations (PO) and have abandoned slash and burn agriculture. Now there are 144 POs with 2275 farmers as their members, which have adopted improved agricultural practices. This has resulted in an increase in the rice yields by 100% and 120% in off-season crops, like potatoes and beans. These POs have been linked to private businesses in ecotourism, beekeeping and fish farming. 26 POs are selling fruits, essential oils, spices, and field crops through agribusinesses, which has resulted in increase in their incomes. In the southern region of the country, USAID has set up an Ecotourism Investment Zone (EIZ) to promote investment in ecotourism. In 2000, an investment of over $180,000 was made in EIZ, which has provided a boost to local economy. All these efforts have resulted in the conservation of biodiversity rich forests and in an improvement of local livelihoods.
Conservation impact
In 380 project villages, farmers have abaondoned slash and burn agriculure, which has a positive impact on the forests
Poverty reduction impact
Improved agricultural practices have increased the rice yields by 100% and yields of off-season crops, like potatoes and beans, have increased by 120%. POs have been linked to private businesses in ecotourism, beekeeping and fish farming. 26 POs are selling fruits, essential oils, spices, and field crops through agribusinesses, which has resulted in an increase in their incomes. In the southern region of the country, USAID has set up an Ecotourism Investment Zone (EIZ) to promote investment in ecotourism. In 2000, an investment over $180,000 was made in EIZ, which has provided a boost to local economy.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Devolution or reinstatement of local rights over/access to resources
Ecoagriculture
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Reference 1
USAID, 2001: Biologically Diverse Ecosystems Conserved in Priority Conservation Zones, 687-003, Madagascar: http://www.usaid.gov/pubs/cbj2002/afr/mg/687-003.html
Reference 2
Iowa State University, undated: Case Study: Community-Based Natural Resource Management Initiatives – Madagascar: http://www.srl.ag.iastate.edu/casestudy/madagascar.html
More information
http://www.usaid.gov
Related records above this one:
- United States Agency for International Development (USAID) (Organisation O0100)