To ensure the successful marketing of biochar to farmers, promotion in the form of a clear and locally adopted public relations strategy is key. The Community Managed Resource Centre promotes its biochar product by engaging with Self Help Group leaders in advance of the upcoming sowing season. This involves the declaration of intent to supply biochar to farmers during a meeting with Self Help Group leaders. In addition, promotional activities include word of mouth and the placement of public notices in key locations such as agri-input markets, government offices, and the organisation's premises. Furthermore, outreach efforts could also include the use of mobile SMS, social media, exhibitions, marketing agencies, and participation in conferences to ensure all farmers are informed about the availability of biochar. The marketing strategy also includes the provision of offering product samples to potential buyers as well as frequently organised marketing and promotional activities such as demonstration plots and farmer field schools. 

The Community Managed Resource Centres oversee and organise the marketing and distribution of biochar to villages and farmers. To ensure timely availability, they require demand to be submitted at least 30 days before the farming season. The centres collaborate with farmers' Self-Help Groups to collect biochar orders. Self Help Groups are encouraged to combine orders from smaller farms, while the centres directly collect orders from individual farmers not participating in these groups. Pricing and delivery dates are communicated via public notice, and advance payments are collected from Self Help Groups and individual farmers and finalised one week before delivery. Upon production readiness, farmers are notified, and biochar is distributed from the centres’ warehouses. For members of Self-Help Groups, biochar is delivered to the group for further distribution. Non-members receive biochar directly from the centres. Each biochar bag is marked with an allotment number for accountability, facilitating efficient grievance handling. The marketing strategy includes collaborating with agricultural input dealers and Farmer Producer Organisations to expand its reach. 

Biochar is carbonised organic material that is produced through pyrolysis, which is a thermal conversion under low or no oxygen. Biochar can be produced using various methods based on available resources and technologies. The production capacity of such a plant is around 200 kg of biochar per day with an output efficiency of 30 percent. Various feedstocks from residues are used to produce biochar, e.g. cotton residues, coconut shells and tree prunings. This is particularly beneficial as the cotton harvest residues are recycled and their open burning in the field is prevented. To source the feedstock sustainably, the project only uses local crop residues which would not have been used for a more valuable purpose. It is recommended to collect biomass around 15 to 20 Kilometres radius to make it more economical through avoiding large costs of transportations. 

In the Boeny region, extensive cattle farming based on natural grazing is at risk of forage shortages due to negative effects of climate change and lack of effective space management. Improved and climate-smart pasture management practices of grazing lands are critical for increased forage production and increased soil C storage. Pasture management greatly contributes to soil protection as it promotes the restoration of ground cover and reduces the uncontrolled use of fires. The main stage of the adoption of climate-smart pasture management practices is to identify with the local population relevant and sustainable ways of managing community pastureland. As a first step, a survey was conducted via interviews and observations on several sites within each pasture to identify herder’s grass, fire practice, the landscape facet, fire and herding practices as well as other relevant data. In a second step, pastoral committees (kijana committees) were created by the project, and a method for supporting the management of community pastures applicable to all the intervention sites (here: 14) and users in the Boeny regions was developed. The committees were supported by a team consisting of project coaches, NGO coordinators and the project’s focal point at the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, to establish natural resource management rules that are relevant to users and acceptable to the authorities. Based on these findings, the integration of specific forage grasses, like Brachiaria sp , Stylosanthes sp, Panicum maximum and Pennisetum sp as well as the prevention of burning could substantially increase the balance of rangelands on the Boeny region of Madagascar. The implementation approach with ten steps was designed by the project and validated at the regional level. 

The definition of action involves establishing clear and measurable objectives for the identified priority areas. Technical options are selected and prioritized based on the specific soil types, landscape characteristics, and socio-economic conditions of each area. Various options, such as agroforestry, soil conservation techniques, and integrated livestock management are considered to address the unique challenges of each site. In Marohogo, the establishment of firebreaks and the reforestation of degraded areas was selected. Three types of firebreaks were established: bare firebreaks, green firebreaks with fire-resistant plants, and agricultural firebreaks. The Taungya method was used to involve local farmers in reforestation efforts while allowing them to cultivate the land temporarily. As such, degraded forest plots are made available to local farmers to enable them to grow food crops for two to three years. In exchange, they must plant trees and maintain the plot in order to restore the forest cover. 

The definition of action involves establishing clear and measurable objectives for the identified priority areas. Technical options are selected and prioritized based on the specific soil types, landscape characteristics, and socio-economic conditions of each area. Various options, such as agroforestry, soil conservation techniques, and integrated livestock management are considered to address the unique challenges of each site. In Marohogo, the establishment of firebreaks and the reforestation of degraded areas was selected. Three types of firebreaks were established: bare firebreaks, green firebreaks with fire-resistant plants, and agricultural firebreaks. The Taungya method was used to involve local farmers in reforestation efforts while allowing them to cultivate the land temporarily. As such, degraded forest plots are made available to local farmers to enable them to grow food crops for two to three years. In exchange, they must plant trees and maintain the plot in order to restore the forest cover. 

The initial diagnostics involve conducting environmental and social analysis. Data from regional planning tools such as the SRAT (Regional Land Use Scheme), PRD (Regional Development Plan), and SAC (Municipal Land Use Scheme) are also collected and analysed." This data collection is critical for understanding the current landscape and planning effectively. The Marohogo Forest Station has always faced significant land tenure challenges resulting in illegal occupations and land conflicts with overlapping claims between the station and surrounding communes. The availability of the Local Occupation Plan for Land Security (Plan Local d'Occupation pour la sécurisation Foncièr, PLOF) data is necessary. A detailed mapping of land tenure statuses and stakeholder priorities was necessary to identify the key areas for intervention and the interests of various stakeholders. 

This building block focuses on using nature-based solutions to stabilize riverbanks and protect both wildlife habitat and community infrastructure. Riverbank erosion poses significant threats to riparian vegetation, drinking water sources, agricultural fields, and wildlife movement corridors. Instead of relying on concrete structures, this approach applies eco-friendly techniques such as bioengineering, bamboo and brush layering, use of coir logs, and planting native grasses, shrubs, and tree species to strengthen soil structure naturally.
Stabilizing riverbanks with vegetation reduces erosion, slows surface runoff, filters sediments, and restores natural river dynamics that support fish, amphibians, and terrestrial wildlife. These methods also improve habitat connectivity, helping animals move safely between feeding areas, mineral licks, and water sources.
Community participation is essential: local residents assist in planting, maintaining vegetation, monitoring erosion, and protecting newly restored areas from grazing and disturbance. This increases ownership and ensures long-term sustainability.
Nature-based riverbank stabilization also builds climate resilience by reducing flood impacts, preventing land loss, and lowering long-term maintenance costs. Integrated with watershed management, it becomes a key strategy for landscape-level conservation and community safety.

This building block focuses on strengthening 19 NWFP Community Groups through well-developed management plans and bylaws that ensure sustainable harvesting, monitoring, and equitable benefit-sharing. JWS is known for the sustainable collection of Rubia spp., Swertia chirayita, star anise, soft broom grass, mushrooms, and other high-value NWFPs.
Management activities include resource assessment, setting harvest quotas, training communities on proper harvesting techniques, enforcing bylaws, and supporting community-led monitoring. JWS also supports market linkages, pricing transparency, and annual reviews of the management plans.
Community participation is central: members help monitor resource conditions, report illegal extraction, follow sustainable harvest practices, and collectively manage income distribution.
In 2024, these groups collectively earned around Nu. 3.5 million from the sale of Rubia spp., Swertia chirayita, and star anise alone, excluding income from other NWFPs, demonstrating the livelihood potential of sustainably managed forest resources.

This building block establishes recreational spaces such as parks, nature trails, and picnic areas to provide safe and enjoyable outdoor spaces while promoting environmental awareness. Eco-tourism initiatives generate alternative income for community members through guiding, hospitality, cultural activities, and local product sales.
These facilities build public appreciation for nature, reduce pressure on sensitive wildlife habitats, and create incentives for conservation. Eco-tourism also enhances community well-being and strengthens long-term support for environmental protection.