This is another new project for us in Madagascar. When we started to look for new projects in a country we do not know we like to find small Non Governmental Organisations who know the region well and who can share their understanding with us.

We really like what Feedback Madagascar are doing on the ground; they aim to alleviate poverty in Madagascar through an integrated approach, recognizing the inter-relationship between poverty, environmental degradation and poor health. Their approach encourages local people to identify their problems and needs, helping them to create their own solutions. Activities are put in place which promote the social development of local communities and the improved management of natural resources.

By working with local communities at all stages of programme design and implementation (including community monitoring and evaluation), Feedback Madagascar aim to make sure all their projects are effective and sustainable.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world where famine is a regular occurrence.

The project area is in one of Madagascar’s poorest regions, where a fragile subsistence economy means that food insecurity is high. The Ikongo district, once a principal coffee supplier, was hit hard by the fall in international coffee prices in the 1990s, and poverty levels have increased significantly since then.

Population levels are rising and pressure on the forest is increasing. Forest conservation is critical to biodiversity but it is also crucial to the survival of local populations so finding ways of improving food sources and income for local people without degrading the forest is essential. This is where yams come in; nutritionally yams are a better alternative to other tubers such as cassava, sweet potato and taro, with between two and six times more protein. The nutritional values of yams have long been proven by nutritionists; the family of Usain Bolt, the world’s fastest man, attribute his speed to “yam power”!

Most of the population in the project areas, probably 80%, rely on wild yams to supplement their unreliable seasonal rice crops. In 2010 rice crops have been badly hit by a cyclone and this is something that happens regularly. There are 39 wild yam species which provide a vital food source from the forest, however, yam cultivation is totally new to Madagascar and particularly in Feedback Madagascar’s target areas.

This project aims to build on the success of a pilot project promoting yam cultivation which has shown local communities’ enthusiasm for yam farming and developing techniques for conserving and cooking produce. These communities and neighbouring communities that have heard about the project are very keen to expand and develop it as it will improve food security and contribute to improving community-based forest management and to promoting conservation of endemic yam species.

The project will work with 12 community forest management associations, supporting them with training on yam cultivation through the creation of demonstration plots and creating household plantations. The aim is a reduction in the annual famine period in the months before the rice harvest and the creation of sustainable income for vulnerable communities. The sale of yams and yam products will give much-needed income to these rural communities and will enable them to improve the health and education of their families.

Specifically, the target is for 1,000 people to adopt yam cultivation outside of the rainforest and for the people trained to then train others within their communities.

Project Update – August 2011

Madagascar was sadly hit by Cyclone Bingiza in February 2011, which has postponed training sessions and damaged the yam crop.

Successes
Despite this setback, 5 out of 12 forest associations have now been trained on the management and organisation of the associations, which is crucial to ensure long term success for the project, so that all members are successfully working together with clear direction. The leadership of some associations has been superb and has been sharing their key learning between them.

Happily 100% of the tubers (a.k.a the mother ships) have survived so far, which is encouraging for next year’s crop.

Problems & Solutions
The cyclone aside, there has been a shortage of yam seeds for this year as a result of lengthy storage, which has caused rotting and therefore waste. This has resulted in some farmers not having sufficient stock to farm on a household basis and have had to focus solely on communal farming.

Next year, the seed buying will occur earlier so as to ensure all associations have sufficient stock.

Actions and Next Steps
Association members are to start engaging in exchange visits, so as to learn from each other. This will start with the first yam festival, designed to raise awareness on conservation and improved management of wild yams so as to boost the number of farmers who take part in the project.

There will be a focus on the transformation and cooking of the yam. This kicked off in June 2011 so as to make the most of the current crop.

So as to avoid the seed shortage problem next year, the project is set to order early for 2012.