Wildlife conservation and food security, hand in hand

Under the SWM Programme Nirina has been offered a place in the poultry rearing workshops taking place in her village. Armed with confidence-boosting skills and start-up tips, Nirina is determined to set up her own poultry business - for family consumption to begin with, and with an eventual option to expand into sales. Chicken meat and eggs both supply key proteins, reducing the need to continue hunting in the forest.

One of 64 women enrolled in the programme, Nirina is eager to spread the good word. She seems to be onto something: altogether, 190 lakeside residents have acquired the technical knowhow to get a chicken coop up and running.

Madagascar is one of 15 countries taking part in the SWM programme. This is a global move to reduce pressure on unprotected species, improve the supply of sustainably farmed meat and fish, and lower demand for wildmeat, particularly in the cities. In every country, the programme also entails co-operating with national authorities to better regulate hunting and conserve wildlife.