Sainte Marie Agroforestry Initiative (SMAI)

The SMAI initiative aims to promote agroecology, a sustainable and viable agricultural method known locally as “Voly Maharitra sy Mahavelona.” This approach is a direct response to the challenges posed by the traditional practice of tavy (slash-and-burn farming) and unsustainable forest exploitation, two of the main causes of environmental degradation in the region. SMAI offers innovative agricultural alternatives that are environmentally friendly and provide stable sources of income for local communities.