MADAGASCAR: Evaluation of the implementations and achievements of the Direct-Seeding Group of Madagascar

Project description

The Groupement Semis-Direct of Madagascar (GSDM), based in Madagascar, is an association under Malagasy law bringing together the bodies involved in direct sowing with a mandate to coordinate and promote actions to ensure the development of conservation agriculture (CA) in Madagascar. The GSDM is in charge of stakeholder’s coordination, monitoring of field achievements, assessment of actions undertaken, animation of its members and partners, operational training in CA and capitalisation of results. As such, the GSDM provides specific services and benefits to various stakeholders in rural development, namely: i) expertise, advisory support for dissemination technical partners; ii) operations assessment in the agroecology field; iii) support for development projects; iv) support in CA training, and v) network animation and coordination.

Services provided

In 2012/2013, CA 17 International was recruited by the GSDM, with the financial support of the French Development Agency (AFD), to carry out an audit and performance review of the structure. The purpose of the study was to assess the achievements and impacts of the GSDM’s activities, in order to i) make a reasoned diagnosis on the relevance of its missions, its organization, its operation in the Malagasy support system for agroecology, and ii) offer development prospects. More specifically, the following audits and assessments were carried out:

• Institutional and organisational audit of the GSDM’s structure, missions and operations;
• Audit and assessment of activities and results;
• Audit and assessment of the GSDM’s financial situation;
• Prospective analysis of future missions and sustainability axes, including proposals for the GSDM’s institutional and organisational development, in relation to its potential missions and the concern to sustain support and accompanying measures in CA within rural areas.