Logiques Paysannes et Reboisement: Le Cas d'Andohavary sur les Hautes Terres de Madagascar

Abstract

"The small farmers perception of a development initiative, as determined by their cultural, socioeconomic and ecological circumstances, differs from that of the technocrats. This article demonstrates that it is possible to crystallize, on the basis of semi-structured interviews, the rationale of the villagers and that this type of research enables development workers to attain a greater understanding of the farmer. The data was collected in a village not far from the Madagascan capital. It indicates that participation in reforestation was primarily motivated by the desire to assume land ownership and the production of wood. The farmers consider the planting of trees as a long term initiative, with a view to self sufficiency. They perceive the tree planting to be an inherent part of social and rural life."