CAZ West Project Update August 2024
As we approach the end of the first year of our multi-year project in CAZ West, Madagascar we want to share with you some of the progress that has been made. One of the main elements of this project, made possible thanks to the support of The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, is to improve agricultural production within the local communities using climate-smart sustainable methods. 

School Garden at Mahavelona May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

To achieve this, we are working with local NGO Fanambinantsoa who have allocated four of their team, all of them masters graduates from Ecole Normale Supérieure - University of Antananarivo, to provide environmental education training for local teachers and to support local schools in establishing market gardens. In May this year, a third visit to the schools took place to check on progress and provide further advice. Within the 8 schools there are now 28 teachers, of which 18 are women, and 663 students involved in the project.

Waste sorting biodegradable and non-biodegradable in Andranomena May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa     

Organic compost production is one of the first techniques that has been taught. Making compost makes use of appropriate bio-degradable waste, it enriches the soil with vital nutrients, improves soil condition including water retention, and reduces dependency on chemical fertilizers. 

Digging out compost at Mahavelona May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

During the May visit the team observed that 5 of the 8 schools had produced compost, despite only receiving training during the previous visit, and 3 of the schools had already achieved compost ready to be used to feed their vegetable gardens.

A variety of seeds had been provided for the market gardens as part of the project. These included different varieties of beans, cabbages, leeks, courgettes, greens, carrots and watermelon. Each school had achieved some healthy plants and good quality produce, but they were also experiencing problems with sickly plants.

Biological control voandelaka preparation EC Ranomainty May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantso

Training was provided in making chemical-free biological control products to help improve the condition of plants. Further guidance was also given on weeding, keeping the gardens clean, appropriate levels of watering, and the importance of mulching. Using mulch is a simple but effective way to build climate change resilience as it reduces the demand for water, which also makes it time efficient.

Mulching techniques in Sakalava May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

In addition to all the practical training that is being provided, the teachers are being trained to provide students with environmental education and the importance of sustainable use of resources.

School Training at Mahavelona May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

One area where there has been very little progress so far is the practice of food transformation and food preservation. These are important skills as they help ensure the maximum use of agricultural products, increase market value, and extend the use of products that would otherwise spoil before consumption.  To increase community engagement with this concept, encouragement and support was provided in the making of banana dough.

Making banana dough at Mahavelona May 2024 © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

All eight beneficiary schools have been very motivated to create and cultivate their vegetable gardens at the start of the project. However, maintaining the gardens and practising good techniques such as weeding, biological controls, soil condition etc., as well as maximising the results of harvested products require more work, which will be carried out as the project progresses.

School garden at Antanambaovao © The Aspinall Foundation Madagascar / Image from NGO Fanambinantsoa

We believe multi-year projects are vitally important to community-led projects such as this. Positive results can be achieved in a single year, but for long-term change from customs that have existed for generations support and encouragement to adopt new practices are required for an extended time. We are grateful to The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund for collaborating with us on this project.

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation