A study led by Duke and Madagascar’s University of Antananarivo revealed that small-scale farmers in Madagascar’s vanilla production region are grappling with increasingly erratic weather that threatens their livelihoods and food security.
Researchers surveyed almost 500 farmers and found that nearly all reported significant changes in temperature and rainfall. These shifts have disrupted traditional farming cycles, dried up water sources and increased the prevalence of pests and diseases like malaria and diarrhea. Despite widespread concern, 20% of farmers have adopted adaptive practices such as using mulch or adjusting planting schedules. The study suggests financial constraints are a major barrier and highlights the urgent need for policies and programs that support climate adaptation. As researchers expand their survey to more villages, they aim to better understand how farmers across Madagascar are coping—and what support they need to thrive in a changing climate. READ MORE.