Fighting Poverty in the Dry South of Madagascar

The “spiky” south of Madagascar is the island’s poorest region. This project provides the seed capital for a social enterprise that aims to create a new source of income for the local community based on the production of vegetable oils.The energy plant Jatropha grows on infertile soil and doesn’t replace the cultivation of aliments. Instead it represents an additional income opportunity for the local farmers on otherwise fallow land.

The project provides financing for the initial 25 hectares of land for the pilot project. With the assistance of GEXSI, the local people will acquire further funding for a bigger plantation that will have a significant impact on fighting poverty in the region.The oil will both be sold locally (for the operation of diesel generators providing electricity) and as a diesel substitute to run mini vans in Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar.

This project builds on the experiences gained from a pilot project in the central highlands. GEXSI will provide the necessary technical expertise.