'Raise for Resilience' SEED Christmas Appeal 2023

In the southeast of Madagascar, beekeeping offers a vital source of income and supports local biodiversity. Through Project Renitantely, SEED Madagascar empowers local beekeepers, helping them build resilient livelihoods in the face of environmental and economic challenges. Recently, the project achieved a milestone in Phase II with a strategic visit to Compagnie du Miel in Antananarivo. Discussions on Madagascar’s honey market and export requirements brought new insights into improving market access for beekeepers in the Anosy region. This progress is crucial to ensuring that beekeepers can build stable, and resilient businesses.

In 2024, SEED empowered 16 skilled beekeepers across three communities, enhancing their ability to generate reliable income and contribute to local biodiversity. During the Interim Phase of Project Renitantely (September 2019 – July 2024), SEED focused on strengthening resilience for beekeeping communities by addressing key challenges that limit beekeeping’s potential as a sustainable livelihood. Training included advanced pest management techniques that employ natural methods using Seva and Doboka plants, avoiding chemicals and preserving both livelihood stability and biodiversity.

To address the environmental challenges impacting hive productivity, Project Renitantely has integrated natural resource management as a key aspect of resilience. SEED distributed 120 fruit tree seedlings, providing supplemental forage that helps mitigate the effects of climate change on natural resources. Without adequate forage, bees are more likely to abscond, leading to reduced hive sizes and honey yields. By investing in local vegetation, SEED supports both hive sustainability and biodiversity. Such initiative aligns with the broader goal of raising resilience by building both capacity and sustainable infrastructure for local beekeeping businesses.

Through Project Renitantely, SEED Madagascar is not only strengthening household incomes but also fostering environmental resilience, ensuring that the beekeeping communities in Anosy have the tools and skills necessary to thrive. Thank you for supporting this sustainable journey toward resilience and independence in Madagascar.

SEED Madagascar (SEED) continues its efforts to support sustainable livelihood methods used by members of rural communities in southeast Madagascar. SEED launched Project Oratsimba to support fishing communities by strengthening the resilience of their livelihoods and the marine ecosystems they depend on.

Project Oratsimba has made significant progress in fostering sustainable livelihoods and environmental resilience. In 2023, the project facilitated community assemblies and environmental education events, reaching 380 individuals, thereby enhancing local awareness and compliance with marine management regulations. Additionally, community needs assessments in four new fishing communities have laid the foundation for expanding locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), ensuring broader community participation and support.

The impact of these efforts is shown in the improved participation of community members in fisheries management. Training sessions for community data collectors have enhanced data quality and consistency, leading to comprehensive assessments of fishery health. The project has also established three new savings groups, benefiting 45 fishing households in two communities by improving financial resilience and reducing vulnerability during lean periods. The ongoing gender and social inclusion analysis have provided valuable insights for increasing women's participation in marine management, contributing to more equitable and effective governance structures.

SEED Madagascar is now preparing for the next phase of Project Oratsimba, aiming to expand the project to two new communities, focusing on strengthening LMMA governance, enhancing fisheries data collection and feedback mechanisms, and improving financial resilience through comprehensive training in financial literacy and business skills.

We are grateful for the generosity of the donors who have helped promote the development of a sustainable and healthy livelihood for residents of Madagascar’s southeast Anosy region, and thank you in advance for continuing to support these critical efforts.