Agroforestry and mangrove restoration - Eastern Madagascar
The Voa Aina project in Madagascar is a comprehensive conservation and sustainable land management effort that restores critical coastal and highland ecosystems. By replanting and protecting mangroves, it combats coastal erosion, mitigates climate change, and supports fishing communities. Simultaneously, its agroforestry initiatives integrate trees into farming systems, combating soil erosion, restoring biodiversity, and empowering smallholder farmers with sustainable practices and alternative income sources. This approach ensures ecological and economic stability while promoting resilient communities.
)
)
)
)
)
Project information
The Voa Aina project
This Agroforestry and Mangrove Restoration project in Eastern Madagascar addresses the country’s critical environmental and food security challenges through a dual approach: agroforestry and mangrove restoration. In the highland regions of the Fitovinany area, this agroforestry initiative currently spans 323 hectares and focuses on reducing deforestation, enhancing soil health, and improving biodiversity. By integrating trees with staple and cash crops, local farmers are trained to cultivate diverse species that boost soil fertility, retain water, and provide sustainable income through timber and fruit production. This empowers communities, reduces destructive practices like slash-and-burn agriculture, and strengthens food security.
Meanwhile, the mangrove restoration efforts currently cover 14 hectares in the coastal Sava Region, where logging and agricultural expansion have heavily degraded the ecosystem. Mangroves play a crucial role in stabilising coastlines, sequestering carbon, and supporting marine biodiversity, which is vital for local fishing economies. The project engages the community in replanting efforts, training in sustainable practices, and monitoring mangrove health to enhance resilience to climate impacts. Together, these initiatives ensure ecosystem restoration while supporting the livelihoods of both highland and coastal communities.
)
Intervention
Agroforestry and mangrove restoration
Location
Madagascar
Standard
Plan Vivo
Sustainable Goals
Project performance
The Earthly rating
The Earthly rating is the industry-first holistic project assessment. Earthly researchers analyse 106 data points, aggregating information across the three vital pillars of carbon, biodiversity and people. Projects in Earthly's marketplace all exceed a minimum score of 5/10.
){kind=icon}
1,000,000
Number of trees planted in agroforestry and mangrove areas
6
Number of endemic mangrove species planted
60%
of carbon credit revenue is invested directly into community development
Project impact
Local impact
)
The forest changes observed within and around the project area have been minimal. From 2012 to 2023, there has been little to no change, suggesting that neither natural events nor human activities have significantly impacted the region on a large scale. The area will continue to be monitored throughout the project’s duration to track any developments, including afforestation efforts, forest growth, and overall ecological health. Dataset used: Hansen Global Forest Change (2012-2023) modified
Dataset used: Hansen Global Forest Change (2012-2023) modified
Project area: through time
Over time, the Fianarantsoa region, once home to vibrant forests, has been heavily degraded by deforestation and unsustainable agricultural practices, particularly the traditional slash-and-burn (tavy) technique. This deforestation has led to severe soil erosion and transformed much of the landscape into degraded savannah dominated by grasses with little capacity for natural regeneration. With forest areas largely diminished, the ecosystem’s ability to support biodiversity and sustain local livelihoods has declined significantly.
The Voa Aina project’s agroforestry initiatives are essential for reversing these effects, aiming to restore soil health, enhance carbon sequestration, and reintroduce native tree species. By engaging local communities in sustainable agroforestry practices, the project seeks to reforest these landscapes, stabilising the soil and fostering a more resilient, biodiverse ecosystem for future generations.
Positive for people
The project delivers transformative social benefits to local communities through its integrated agroforestry and mangrove restoration efforts: significantly enhancing food security, water access and income diversification. By installing wells in key areas, the project has improved water availability for both agricultural and domestic use, addressing a critical need. Inclusive community participation is a core priority, with at least 45% female involvement in project activities, ensuring equitable representation and decision-making. This focus empowers women and ensures they benefit equally from the project’s initiatives.
To align with local needs, the Voa Aina team conducted extensive interviews to understand socio-environmental dynamics and livelihood challenges. This engagement informed a community-driven benefit-sharing model, where 60% of carbon credit revenue is invested directly into community development (45% supports community-selected projects and 15% supports education initiatives). The remaining 40% is reinvested into reforestation efforts and project operations, securing long-term sustainability.
The agroforestry component boosts food production and diversifies crops, training farmers in sustainable techniques that decrease reliance on harmful practices like slash-and-burn agriculture. By providing fruit-bearing and high-yield crops, the project promotes greater food security, improved nutrition and economic stability. Meanwhile, mangrove restoration enhances fish stocks, providing a reliable resource for fishing communities and reinforcing coastal resilience.
Both components are supported by a robust monitoring system with defined benchmarks and adaptive management strategies. This ensures that the project can transparently track progress and make necessary adjustments. By addressing both ecological and socio-economic challenges, the project strengthens community resilience, supports sustainable livelihoods, and builds a foundation for lasting environmental and social well-being.
)
Good for earth
The project employs a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration and sustainable land use, spanning both agroforestry and mangrove rehabilitation efforts. With over one million trees planted across these zones, the project strategically uses 60% native species and 40% naturalised fruit trees in its agroforestry plots to enhance biodiversity, support food resources, and improve soil quality. Positioned next to key biodiversity areas, such as the Namarona-Faraony River Key Biodiversity Area, these plots act as critical buffer zones, protecting endemic ecosystems and promoting environmental stability.
Madagascar is home to some of the world’s most unique biodiversity, with 95% of reptile species, 89% of plant species, and 92% of mammal species found nowhere else on Earth. The Voa Aina project incorporates many of these endemic plant species into its reforestation efforts, enriching the ecological integrity of the regions. Additionally, no agrochemicals are used, preserving soil health, supporting pollinator species, and fostering natural ecosystem functions. A rigorous monitoring system tracks progress against set biodiversity targets, enabling adaptive management and ensuring long-term success.
The mangrove component is crucial for protecting Madagascar’s coastal biodiversity. Stretching from Cap Est to the Loky Manambato protected area, the restored mangrove corridor creates a connected habitat that stabilises coastlines, enhances fish stocks, and provides critical nurseries for marine species. All mangrove trees planted are native species and play a vital role in carbon sequestration, further contributing to global climate mitigation efforts. The project uses a comprehensive monitoring system with benchmarks and corrective actions to maximise impact. By prioritising connectivity, species diversity and sustainable practices, Voa Aina exemplifies effective, community-centered ecosystem restoration that benefits both highland and coastal areas, ensuring long-term environmental resilience and biodiversity conservation.
How we assess for quality
The Earthly scoring process
)
Project gallery
Project pictures
)
)
)