Exploring innovative strategies for livelihoods in a slash-and-burn context in Madagascar : experiencing the role of huma geography in sustainability-oriented research

摘要

Slash-and-burn agriculture on the eastern escarpmentof Madagascar is held responsible for the ongoingdeforestation of the remaining primary forests. Furtherconsequences attributed to the method are the degradation of fallow land, resulting in a loss of productivity,which is considered to be a threat to food security andthe livelihoods of the peasants. The research resultspresented here contribute to current conservationand development efforts regarding alternative landuse systems by studying how households can successfullyadopt and adapt innovative strategies. Based onan interdisciplinary synthesis of knowledge about theland use system and a transdisciplinary analysis ofmulti-stakeholder interests, promising developmentroutes were identified and tested. The results of theintroduction of single innovative activities indicatedoverall improvement in ecological, economic andsocio-cultural terms. However, the successful adoptionby peasant households could only be achieved wherehouseholds were able to simultaneously combine different innovative activities. This combination maximisedsynergies and reduced potential conflict betweenindividual innovations and the existing livelihoodstrategy of a household. Consequently, important basicparameters for such a process could be defined, suchas liberty of choice, accessibility and market networks,as well as Joint development of innovations betweenconcerned actors and researchers.