Small-scale fishing: a driver of food security and household resilience in southwestern Madagascar

Atsimo-Andrefana, one of Madagascar’s most vulnerable regions

The coastal region of Atsimo-Andrefana, situated in the south-west of the country, opens out onto the Mozambique Channel. In the Ampanihy Ouest district, the communes of Androka and Androimpano lie at the heart of a territory between land and sea. This part of the island is characterised by structural vulnerability linked to an arid climate, recurrent droughts and other climatic shocks, its isolation, and the weakness of public infrastructure and services.  

Rural families face chronic food insecurity and severe pressures on their livelihoods. The level of poverty and vulnerability among households here is one of the highest in Madagascar. According to the IPC analysis published on 15 July 2026, more than 290,000 people – representing 55 per cent of the population analysed in the Ampanihy Ouest district – are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (Phase 3 or higher)1. 

In Androka and Androipano communities, households rely mainly on agriculture, livestock farming and, in coastal villages, small-scale fishing. However, erratic rainfall, the degradation of natural resources, the isolation of certain localities and limited access to facilities and markets are causing long-term instability in their livelihoods and incomes. 

The fishing sector nevertheless plays a major role in food security, as 60 per cent of its production is destined for local consumption and the national market. “Fish has high nutritional value and provides micronutrients that are essential for people’s well-being and diet,” explains Sergino Andriamitantsoa, ACF’s food security and livelihoods programme manager in Madagascar. 

Removing barriers to fish production and marketing 

To meet the needs of local communities, Action Against Hunger, with financial support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, is running the ‘Maharombake’ (saving lives) project, which supports communities through agricultural recovery initiatives (via cash transfers and the establishment of Village Savings and Credit Associations) and fisheries support. In partnership with the Ministry of Fisheries and the Blue Economy, the project is making an innovative contribution to sustainably improving the living conditions of coastal communities, particularly in Androka and Androipano communities, located in the Ampanihy Ouest district. 

“This is the first time that Action Against Hunger in Madagascar has been involved in the fisheries sector. In the coastal villages of Androka and Androipano, fishing is a vital source of food and income for many households. However, this sector faces significant technical, economic and environmental constraints.  Today, the pressure on fish stocks is such that some fishermen are forced to travel very far to catch fish. The lack of suitable equipment can also encourage the use of non-selective fishing methods, which exacerbate this pressure,” says Sergino  

Despite the abundance of fish stocks in the coastal waters of Ampanihy Ouest, such as rock lobster and fish, fishermen in the area face multiple constraints: technical, environmental, logistical and conservation-related. Furthermore, many fishermen do not have access to a canoe and, due to a lack of financial resources, rely on third parties for the equipment needed to fish. “Most used to hire equipment from other fishermen; canoes are very expensive and there are few manufacturers in the area. They are often forced to travel as far as Tulear to obtain them, which involves a considerable distance and additional costs,” explains Sergino. 

Through this project, Action Against Hunger supports fishermen, fish processors and traders in several areas: building technical capacity (sustainable fishing practices, safety at sea, processing and preservation of produce), diversifying sources of income (income-generating activities), and improving access to markets and training. 

 “We work across the entire fisheries value chain: we supply equipment such as canoes, nets and diving gear. We also help maintain the cold chain by providing solar-powered fridges, smokehouses and so on. We help connect fishermen with market stakeholders to improve the marketing of their products, in collaboration with fishermen’s associations,” explains Sergino. “ACF goes beyond simply providing material support to fishermen. We offer a more comprehensive approach aimed at strengthening people’s self-reliance and removing the structural barriers facing the sector.” 

“Among other things, we work with partners such as the company Copefrito, which provides training on compliance with standards and product quality. Copefrito is also a marketing partner that helps with the sale of fish products.” 

A positive impact on the daily lives of communities

Félix, a fisherman from Andoharano, within the project’s area of operation, has benefited from a range of equipment, from a canoe, longline and net to a snorkel, life jacket and flippers. He explains:

“Being a fisherman is a real daily challenge. Without the necessary equipment, our catches remain low and our income isn’t enough to support our families. After years of low incomes, our financial situation is gradually improving. Thanks to the equipment we’ve received, we can now work more efficiently at sea and increase our catches.” 

The project also supports activities carried out by women throughout the fisheries value chain, particularly the collection, preservation and marketing of fish products. Lestine lives in the fokontany (village) of Lanirano, where fishing is one of the main sources of household income. However, means of production remain limited and many families live in extremely precarious circumstances. A lack of fishing equipment and financial resources was holding back the development of her activities. Before the project began, Lestine would buy small quantities of fish, which she would then resell at the market. Due to a lack of financial resources and access to savings, her profits remained low and were not enough to cover all her family’s needs. 

Thanks to the project, Lestine joined an AVEC group – a Village Savings and Credit Association – where she learnt to save regularly and manage her income more effectively. She also received financial support as part of the Fishing Income-Generating Activity (IGA), which enabled her to expand her fish-selling business. Today, she is able to buy larger quantities of fish to resell, which has increased her profits and improved her household income. She continues to save through her AVEC group and feels more confident about gradually expanding her business.

“Now I can buy more fish to resell, and my income has improved thanks to the project. AVEC has taught me how to save and manage my business better. I now have more hope for my family’s future.” 

Since November 2025, the Maharombake project has provided support to 1,350 fishermen in the Atsimo-Andrefana region. A new phase of the project will now take place in the neighbouring Androy region, thanks to the ongoing support of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (IFSAN).