By Nasandratra Razafindrakoto, Dr Misheck Musokwa and Bridget Kakuwa-Kasongamulilo
Tuléar, Madagascar
In a bold step towards climate resilience and sustainable agriculture, Madagascar has officially launched the IKI Growing Greener Project, a six-year initiative aimed at revitalizing livestock farming and restoring 10,000 hectares of degraded rangelands in the Atsimo Andrefana Region.
This flagship project is a collaborative effort under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINAE) and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), in partnership with Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ), Conservation International, the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Research and Development in Southern Africa (CCARDESA), and the Peace Parks Foundation. Running from 2023 to 2029, it is part of a broader regional initiative across Botswana, Madagascar, South Africa, and Zambia.
The official launch took place at the Etoile de Mer Restaurant in Tuléar and was attended by 54 participants from four countries, including government officials, consortium partners, farmers’ representatives, and other key stakeholders. High-level representation included the Secretary General of the Atsimo Andrefana Region, Directors from MINAE and MEDD, as well as leaders from the Ministries of Industry, Decentralization, and Planning.
During the opening remarks, Mr. MOSA Romain, Permanent Secretary for the Atsimo Andrefana Region, welcomed the project, said “This initiative arrives at the perfect time, as Madagascar intensifies efforts to invest in livestock and climate resilience. It aligns well with our carbon credit ambitions and our commitment to empowering rural communities.”
Mr. ANONDRAKA Michel, Director General of Agriculture and Livestock, echoed this optimism, “We are grateful to GIZ and its partners for selecting Atsimo Andrefana as a focal region. Ruminant farming is a cornerstone of our local economy, and this project will bring lasting change to our communities.”
Local leaders also voiced strong support . Mr LAMAROE Elie, interim Mayor of Tuléar 1, shared his hopes when he said, “We feel honored to be chosen. This is the first time our community will apply the Herding for Health Model we've heard so much about it. It opens the door for our youth and women to participate in economic activities that restore dignity and purpose.”
A follow-up field visit on 11 April 2025 to Vineta, Andamasiny, allowed project partners to interact directly with local agropastoralists. The community dialogue explored the realities of livestock farming, existing constraints, and the opportunities for transformation through sustainable grazing practices and community-led land restoration.
Mr. RISITE Heriarivelo, Director of Infrastructure and Development in Atsimo Andrefana, emphasized the importance of linking development planning with land rehabilitation: “Infrastructure must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. This project gives us a chance to do both.”
Speaking on behalf of the regional consortium, . Mr Martin Leineweber, Project Manager for IKI Growing Greener, outlined the project's broader vision and said that “Our goal is to promote sustainable, community-driven agropastoral systems that prevent further land degradation while enhancing rural incomes. Through the Herding for Health (H4H) model, we are adapting proven solutions to local realities, contributing not only to national goals but to regional transformation across SADC.”
Commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) under the International Climate Initiative (IKI), the project will serve as a blueprint for integrating climate action, biodiversity conservation, and rural development, one green pasture at a time.
The authors support the implementation of the Growing Greener Project from Madagascar, GIZ, and CCARDESA, respectively
