A dedicated micro credit fund for rural Madagascar

Micro-credit is currently mainly financing duck breeding activities in all villages. Duck breeding has proven to be very successful and much less capital intensive (and feed needed) than for example raising pigs. Implementing the lessons learned, not only will the 2024 focus be on ducks again, but decision was made by the committee of leaders to streamline the process:
 
Process:
Based on this experience (ducks) an establishment of the microcredit schedule needs to be implemented. It was decided to establish a procedure for microcredit requests, which must be reviewed, validated and approved by the committee of leaders.
 
Support methodology:
Previously the granting of micro-credit submissions could be made at any time of the year. From now on it will take into account the agricultural calendar. This is especially relevant for seeds and new crops introduced via the micro credit’s seed bank.
 
Another requirement is the participation in the trainings offered by Zahana. The know-how learned in the training workshops needs to be applied and the basic technical requirements and conditions need to be met by the applicant. This will be verified by a representative visiting the applicant to see if the environment to breed ducks is ready.
 
In other words, stating: “I want to breed ducks” is not sufficient to participate anymore.
 
The committee of leaders will also explore other market opportunities and eventually add new components to the micro credit program. The first draft of the schedule was validated during the workshop with the committee of leaders on May 17, 2024, in Tsiroanomandidy. The final version will be shared with each local Zahana membership once it is finalized and approved by the members.