Proposing concrete measures for agricultural land

A draft law regarding the management of community areas, including pastoral lands, is currently under discussion.

Given that Madagascar’s land laws do not yet formally recognize extensive livestock farming as a legitimate form of natural habitat use and ownership, the property rights of herders over vast pastoral territories are not officially protected. Malagasy land legislation currently considers these lands as « unclaimed ».

The Think Tany network, consisting of researchers from the International Cooperation Center for Agronomic Research (CIRAD) and the Higher School of Agronomic Sciences (ESSA) in Antananarivo, has explored this topic within the framework of this legislative process. This month, under the guidance of various entities (GIZ, SIF…), herders from the Ihorombe, Vakinankaratra, and Boeny regions gathered alongside government leaders. These discussions aimed to give herders a platform to share their practices and needs. There is also a pressing need to propose concrete measures to ensure the recognition of their rights over agricultural land.

The economic weight of zebu herding is often overlooked at the national level. However, more than 40 % of farming households are affected, making it a vital resource for over 2 million rural communities. Herders, who are often also farmers, contribute significantly to agriculture by providing crucial services such as rice field trampling, soil work, manure provision, and crop transportation. The goal of this initiative is to integrate extensive livestock farming into the discussions on future land laws while highlighting the critical role of this profession in food security and the resilience of rural communities.