Farmers in Madagascar are installing agroforestry systems as a sustainable alternative to previous “slash-and-burn” farming and in response to more frequent droughts. Producer organisations FITAFA and FEKRITAMA are playing a key role in supporting their members to make this switch and to overcome the challenges involved.

The Atsinanana region on the eastern coast of Madagascar is home to the FITAFA cooperative. Established in 2001, it now has 350 household members. Traditionally, farmers in this area used tavy, a slash-and-burn system of agriculture to clear forests to grow rainfed rice. But this technique was significantly degrading forests and, due to more frequent droughts, the bare soil was degrading too. What’s more, the delayed rains were reducing the yield and quality of the rice being farmed. 

With their livelihoods under threat, FITAFA – with support from national farmers’ organization FEKRITAMA – has been encouraging members to adopt agroforestry systems, incorporating cash crops like cinnamon, cloves, coffee and lychees, grown in the shade of the trees. Agroforestry now accounts for two-thirds of most farmers’ plots, with the rest left for rice cultivation, other crops or left fallow. 

 External labor clearing agroforestry fields. ©T.Raharison

Supporting the transition to agroforestry

As highlighted in IIED’s case study, FEKRITAMA has been supporting regional forest and farm producer organisations, like FITAFA, to integrate sustainable farming practices for over 15 years.  Since becoming part of the FFF in 2021, FEKRITAMA has stepped up its practical work in the field, developing a comprehensive support package to help farmers move away from using fire to manage their plots and transition to agroforestry. 

So what does this look like? FEKRITAMA has provided FITAFA members with seeds, seedlings and natural fertilizers to help farmers develop their agroforestry plots, supporting the development and large-scale roll-out of 40 community nurseries in the Atsinanana region. They have also provided technical support and coaching on topics such as climate-smart agriculture, forest landscape restoration, the use of mulch and organic fertilisers, terracing and soil-conservation techniques, helpful crop associations that work for all species involved and water management. In addition, FEKRITAMA has facilitated exchange visits between farmers and visits to demonstration plots so they can learn from each other.  They have also helped farmers access financial support, mostly through projects to offset high agroforestry start-up costs and to strengthen rural entrepreneurship. 

Improved diets, incomes, climate resilience and employment

Although it takes time to establish an agroforestry plot, the farmers agree there are multiple benefits. For example, fruits, vegetables and tubers are available year-round and enhance the nutrition of household diets. Without doubt, agroforestry systems help to improve incomes, particularly through the integration of cash crops. For FITAFA members, the main sources of income include cash crops (cinnamon, clove, coffee, lychee), fruits and vegetables (such as banana, mango, avocado), livestock and aquaculture (such as pigs, poultry, tilapia). Production can also be staggered over time which is a major benefit as it helps ease cash flow and allows farmers to reinvest in farming or other activities. 

Agroforestry promotes climate resilience, soil protection and improvement, forest restoration, and recycling of organic matter. It also reduces pressure on forest for firewood, as leftover brash from the plots can be used instead. Crucially, agroforestry provides rural employment – cinnamon harvesting is year round – and promotes the contribution of youth and women to households.

Rural employment – households prepare cinnamon sticks. ©T.Raharison

Overcoming challenges

Despite the clear benefits, some key challenges remain for FITAFA’s members, notably marketing of products. FEKRITAMA is seeking to strengthen their negotiating power and has put them in touch with potential buyers including Phael Flor Export, a company which specialises in the export of organic products, particularly spices, and AgriExport who are interested in buying vanilla and cloves. 

Financing for start-up and running costs is also a challenge, with FEKRITAMA encouraging FITAFA members to develop village savings and loan associations (VSLAs). These systems offer community services to members, such as group purchasing and selling for vulnerable women, shared tree nurseries, and reforestation activities done within the group. One or two examples do exist but members would benefit from VSLAs being more widespread. 

It is clear that FEKRITAMA has been instrumental in helping members of FITAFA adopt successful agroforestry systems. Its support has been at the heart of their transition to more sustainable farming, and the future looks bright for its members.

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Read the case study: Raharison T.S. (2025). Innovations for agroforestry uptake in Madagascar – the role of FITAFA. FEKRITAMA and IIED, London, UK. Available at https://www.iied.org/22648g