Rural Livelihoods
Did you know that Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world? Most Malagasy people have to rely on the land to scrape a living through agriculture and fishing, struggling to earn enough money to feed themselves and their families. Where we work, in the isolated Anosy region of southeast Madagascar, poverty levels are amongst the highest in the country with a serious lack of employment opportunities, particularly for women.
Average annual income for an agricultural household in Anosy is 686,000 Ariary (approximately £170) – among the poorest in the country
INSTAT, 2010
Whilst SEED Madagascar first sought to focus on conserving endangered areas, it soon became clear that we could not protect the environment without also considering the people who depend on these resources on a daily basis. We work to develop sustainable employment and business opportunities for local people, providing them with skills that can also be passed on to future generations.
Current projects
Mahampy
Increasing income for female traditional weavers and sustainable resource management of the mahampy reed beds.
Project Mahampy
Renitantely
Working to improve the sustainability and viability of beekeeping as a livelihood amongst rural communities in the Anosy region.
Project Renitantely
Stitch Sainte Luce
Teaching embroidery, language and business skills to local women, to provide a sustainable livelihood.
Stitch Sainte Luce
Oratsimba
Strengthening community-based, sustainable fisheries management and the economic resilience of fishing households in southeast Madagascar.
Project OratsimbaCompleted projects
Mahampy: MHM
A pilot project teaching women how to make and use reusable Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) sanitary pads.
Project Mahampy: MHM
Sakondry
Through edible insect farming, Project Sakondry aims to increase access to sustainable and nutrient-rich protein sources, increasing food security and providing livelihoods.
Edible insect farming
Mitsinjo
Developing livelihoods, improving health and facilitating conservation through agro-forestry, beekeeping and fuel-efficient stoves.
Project Mitsinjo
Varroa
Working to build the capacity of rural beekeepers in preventing, identifying and treating hive infestations of the varroa mite across the Anosy region.
Project Varroa