Background

Madagascar is known for its fine-flavor cocoa, with around 33,000 smallholder farmers producing approximately 15,000 tons annually. Most cocoa cultivation is concentrated in the Sambirano Valley in the northwest. However, deforestation – driven by fragile livelihoods, weak governance, slash-and-burn agriculture, and growing demand for cash crops like cocoa and vanilla – threatens ecosystems and accelerates soil degradation.

Building on a two-year pilot phase, this three-year project brings together private, public, and community stakeholders to promote sustainably managed landscapes in the Sambirano Valley and strengthen the resilience of local livelihoods.

Key figures

  • Country and region(s): Madagscar, Sambirano Valley

  • Project duration: 2023–2027

  • Implementation partner: Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation

  • Further partners: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE) of the University of Bern, Halba, Lindt & Sprüngli, Max Felchlin, Migros, Pronatec, Touton, Villars Maître Chocolatier, Walter Mater SA, myclimate, SWISSCO, SECO

  • Direct and indirect stakeholders: 30,000 farmers, Comité de Gestion de Bassin Versant (COGEBS), Madagascar National Parks, Conseil National de Cacao, Conseil Régional de la Vanille

  • Focus areas covered: Ecosystem protection and regeneration

  • Contribution of the LCF: CHF 200,000 (total budget CHF 5.5m)

Main objectives

  • Conserve ecosystem functions in the landscape through an adequate mix of on- and off-farm interventions.

  • Address ongoing deforestation and loss of soil and water retention in priority zones.

  • Improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers through diversified income and land tenure security

Impressions

Patrick ROHR

Franz Thiel

Franz Thiel

HELVETAS Madagascar

DIDIER DERIAZ ArchiveSud