The vulnerability of African countries, including Madagascar, to climate change is compounded by strong dependence on rain-fed agriculture and natural resources; high levels of poverty; low levels of human capital; low levels of preparedness for climate events; and poor infrastructure in rural areas. Madagascar is currently positioned 5th worldwide among countries most exposed to risks due to climate change and first among countries in Africa exposed to such risk. The agricultural sector of
Madagascar is being affected by soil degradation and exhaustion, biodiversity degradation, and human environment degradation. Agriculture remains one of the most effective pathways out of poverty. Gross domestic product (GDP) growth that originates in agriculture is approximately
four times more effective in reducing poverty than GDP growth that originates in other sectors. The risk which climate change poses to the sector thus has significant implications for poverty reducing
capacity. In this context, CSA is critical for food security and development. It is an approach
that can help reduce the negative impacts of climate change and can increase the adaptive capacity of farming communities to long-term climatic trends.
