The MaMaBay Conservation Enterprise (ECM) model is based on close partnerships
between conservation organizations, local communities, technical actors and
committed businesses.
These alliances are essential to linking forest protection, local economic development and
sustainable access to responsible markets.
For over 20 years, WCS has been at the forefront of conservation efforts in the Makira-Masoala-Antongil Bay landscape. WCS ensures that ECM’s economic and conservation model is based on its work with communities, respects environmental and social standards, and implements conservation agreements that govern access to economic benefits. ECM thus supports the conservation strategy implemented by WCS in this landscape.
Zoo Zürich initiated the development of the cocoa sector in the region, following a feasibility study conducted in 2015. Its commitment initially involved funding ecological restoration projects, before expanding to support dynamic agroforestry systems, contributing to landscape restoration and the sustainable improvement of local communities’ livelihoods.
The COPROCAVOL and KAJIVOLA cooperatives bring together producers involved in the cocoa and agroforestry sectors supported by ECM. They play a central role in the collective organization of producers, the quality and traceability of products, as well as in the implementation of conservation agreements in conjunction with local community structures.
HALBA , with the support of COOP and SWISSCO , is a key partner in the development of the cocoa sector through agroforestry within the landscape. These partners contributed to financing the initial phases of structuring the cocoa and dynamic agroforestry sectors, enabling support for producers, organic and fair trade certification, the implementation of traceability systems, and the strengthening of local capacities.
ECOTOP is the leading technical partner for establishing dynamic agroforestry plots. The organization supports the design of agroforestry systems, the installation of plots, and the training of WCS technicians to ensure high-quality support for producers. Furthermore, the DAF Tracker application developed by ECOTOP facilitates the monitoring and referencing of all dynamic agroforestry plots.
HALBA is the main international market for cocoa produced through ECM, offering the promise of stable markets, profitable prices, and the promotion of cocoa as a product with a strong environmental and social impact. In parallel, MCI is a key partner for the marketing of pili-pili peppers, a complementary crop integrated into the agroforestry plots.
