Depuis le mois d'octobre 2024, le programme de plantation d'arbres TERAKA s'est étendu à plusieurs communes des régions Itasy, Vakinankaratra, Amoron’i Mania et Alaotra Mangoro, après avoir été initialement limité aux districts de Soaviandriana (région d'Itasy) et Fandriana (région d'Amoron’i Mania). Dans ce cadre, des séminaires ont été organisés pour identifier les problèmes environnementaux auxquels sont confrontés les agriculteurs, ainsi que les solutions qu'ils ont déjà mises en place ou qu'ils estiment nécessaires d'adopter. Durant ces séminaires, l’approche a été participative, permettant aux agriculteurs de participer activement et d’exprimer leurs idées. Parmi les solutions proposées par les agriculteurs pour faire face aux défis environnementaux, la plantation d'arbres a été mise en avant. C’est ce qui les a incités à rejoindre le programme TERAKA, convaincus qu'ils pouvaient à la fois protéger l’environnement et bénéficier d'une source de revenus durable grâce à la vente de crédits carbone. Actuellement, les agriculteurs ont commencé à planter des arbres et à constituer des Petits Groupes composés de 6 à 12 membres provenant de trois foyers différents. Le programme TERAKA est destiné à tous les agriculteurs sans distinction, alors encourageons ceux qui nous entourent à joindre la grande famille TERAKA pour œuvrer ensemble en faveur de l'environnement et des générations futures. Comme le disaient nos ancêtres : "Les jeunes qui plantent des arbres auront des abris plus tard." Alors, force à nous chers agriculteurs.

EXPANSION DU PROGRAMME TERAKA DANS LES RÉGIONS ITASY, VAKINANKARATRA ET ALAOTRA MANGORO

Since September 2024, the TERAKA program has begun quantifying trees planted by Small Groups. This involves collecting data on Small Groups, their groves, and their trees. The process began in the four intervention communes in the Fandriana District (Sahamadio, Fiadanana, Mahazoarivo, Ankarinoro) and will continue in the Soavinandriana District (Soavinandriana, Amparibohitra, Masindray, Amparaky). Quantification enables the TERAKA program to provide prepayments for each living tree, benefiting the Small Group members.

Quantification of TERAKA Trees

In August 2024, members of the Small Groups in the communes of Sahamadio, Ankarinoro, Fiadanana, and Mahazoarivo in the Fandriana district shared their experiences on setting up nurseries and the hole-digging technique. Using available resources, they created plastic pots by recycling used bags. This initiative reflects one of TERAKA's core values: resourcefulness, where small budgets yield significant results. This experience-sharing prepares members for the next planting campaign and improves tree survival rates.

Experience Sharing on Nursery Establishment and Hole Digging among TERAKA Small Group Members

Since May 2024, the TERAKA program has undertaken an explanatory campaign and signed carbon credit sales contracts with Small Group members. This initiative began with the Small Groups in the four intervention communes in the Fandriana District: Mahazoarivo, Sahamadio, Fiadanana, and Ankarinoro. Motivated by environmental restoration, members are ready to actively collaborate with TERAKA for a minimum of 40 years.

Carbon Credit Sales Contract Signing

Training for 15 volunteers committed to becoming Cluster leaders in the communes of Fiadanana, Sahamadio, Ankarinoro, and Mahazoarivo took place on July 23-24 in Fiadanana (Fandriana). These leaders, motivated by a strong awareness of the importance of environmental protection, have committed to actively contributing to environmental preservation and community development. Each Cluster leadership team consists of a leader, co-leader, and accountant. They commit to organizing the monthly Cluster meeting and providing TERAKA with reports on the activities of the Small Groups. The TERAKA team extends its gratitude and wishes these leaders much success in their noble responsibility.

Training of 15 Cluster Leaders in the Fandriana District

Tohiravina, also known as Zahana, scientifically named Phyllarthron madagascariensis, is a tree endemic to Madagascar, mainly used in traditional medicine, particularly its leaves. This name was chosen for the TERAKA monthly journal to symbolize Malagasy identity, life continuity, cohesion, and the healing properties this tree brings to the land, water, nature, and community. The Tohiravina journal was created to convey news and best practices promoted by the TERAKA program to member farmers. The first edition of the TERAKA gazette was published in March 2024.

TOHIRAVINA Gazette

In a location, when Small Groups (6 to 12 people) reach a total of 30 to 50 members, they form a Cluster. Each Small Group then sends two rotating members to the monthly Cluster meeting. Currently, the eight intervention municipalities of the TERAKA program in the districts of Fandriana (Sahamadio, Fiadanana, Mahazoarivo, and Ankarinoro) and Soavinandriana (Amparibohitra, Amparaky, Soavinandriana, and Amparaky) have already held their Cluster meetings. The Cluster workshop provides a space for knowledge sharing and best practices among TERAKA member farmers. During these workshops, the TOHIRAVINA TERAKA journal is distributed, and TERAKA updates are communicated to members.

Cluster Workshop

In September and October 2023, the TERAKA team organized seminars in the districts of Fandriana (Amoron’i Mania) and Soavinandriana (Itasy). These seminars allowed discussions with farmers on local environmental issues, gathering their proposed solutions and presenting the TERAKA program. The approach used was participatory, encouraging everyone’s input. Among the most frequently mentioned solutions, tree planting—promoted by TERAKA—was a key focus.

Seminars: Fandriana and Soavinandriana

Courtesy visits to administrative authorities are essential preliminary steps for the TERAKA program before any intervention in a territory. In July and October 2023, the TERAKA team made courtesy visits to the municipalities of the Fandriana District in the Amoron’i Mania region and the Soavinandriana District in the Itasy region. The program obtained permission from the administrative authorities of these municipalities, who expressed their willingness to collaborate with TERAKA.

Courtesy Visits to Administrative Authorities

In July 2023, the TERAKA program team paid a courtesy visit to the Regional Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development (DREDD) of the Amoron’i Mania region. Following the presentation of the program, the DREDD Director authorized TERAKA to operate in the region, emphasizing that the program’s objectives are aligned with sustainable development goals.

Meeting with the Director of DREDD of the Amoron’i Mania Region

On July 27, 2023, the TERAKA program received the blessing of His Excellency RAKOTONARIVO Fidelis, Bishop of the Diocese of Ambositra. The Bishop confirmed that reforestation and environmental restoration are priorities among the diocese's pastoral activities. Given that the objectives of the TERAKA program align closely with those of the diocese, the Church encourages everyone to join the initiative.

New activity

Meeting with Bishop RAKOTONARIVO Fidelis from the Diocese of Ambositra