The MaMaBay landscape in northeastern Madagascar encompasses Ma Soala National Park, Makira Natural Park , and Antongil Bay . It harbors some of the country’s most pristine ecosystems—rainforests, mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal marine areas—and is one of Madagascar’s major biodiversity hotspots. More than 300,000 people depend directly on the natural resources and ecosystem services of this landscape for their livelihoods.
Within this complex, Makira occupies a central position. Established in 2012, Makira National Park covers 372,470 hectares of lowland and mid-altitude rainforest, making it the largest Category II terrestrial protected area in Madagascar. The park is home to 17 lemur species, including four critically endangered species, as well as exceptional biodiversity in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and plants.
Makira also plays a vital role for the surrounding communities: approximately 90,000 people live nearby and depend on its ecosystem services. Around the park, over 178,000 hectares of Green Belt forest are managed by local community-based organizations (COBAs), illustrating the importance of grassroots conservation.
Certified agroforestry cocoa: a lever for conservation
ECM is structuring a certified organic and fair trade cocoa supply chain in the forest areas of the MaMaBay landscape, in partnership with two cooperatives: KAJIVOLA and COPROCAVOL.
The cocoa is produced in agroforestry, without deforestation, and integrated into conservation agreements which condition access to premium markets by respecting clear environmental commitments.
Key figures for cocoa:
40 hectares of cocoa plots already certified
More than 200 committed producers
Objective: 150 hectares over the next 3 years
450 new producers supported within 3 years
The production is mainly intended for HALBA, a chocolate factory specializing in organic and fair trade cocoa and a central partner in the project, guaranteeing stable outlets at remunerative prices.
Through its projects, the MaMaBay Conservation Enterprise develops
sustainable agricultural sectors in collaboration with rural communities to finance the
protection of the forests of the Makira–Masoala–Baie d’Antongil landscape.
Our projects are based on a simple model: market access,
conservation agreements and resilient agroforestry systems.
Pili-pili chili peppers: income from the first years
In addition to cocoa, ECM is developing a pili-pili chili pepper supply chain in partnership with MC Ingredients, a player in the spice market.
Chili peppers are integrated directly into agroforestry plots, allowing producers to generate income from the first years, before cocoa reaches full production.
This complementary crop helps to motivate producers from the time the plots are established, to diversify sources of income and to strengthen the economic resilience of households.
A measurable impact on communities and the forest
The projects carried out by ECM are based on a structured model and market commitments conditional on respect for the environment.
of products purchased from cooperatives via ECM over the next 3 years
plots in dynamic agroforestry by 2029
incomes conditional on respect for the environment
The MaMaBay Conservation Enterprise helps to secure local incomes and reduce
pressure on forests.
Ensemble,
These projects illustrate the ECM model: high-performing agricultural sectors, integrated
into a system of conservation agreements, where the market becomes a sustainable lever for
biodiversity protection.
