Mahajanga Integrated Pilot Program (PPIM)

The Ministry of Energy and Mines, under an IDA-loan, undertook a pilot program to increase the sustainable fuelwood supplies for the Mahajanga region of Madagascar. Madagascar, the world's fourth largest island, has experienced rapid population growth for the last 10 years, and the country's 15.5 million hectares of timber reserves, the largest source of energy for Madagascar's 14 million people, are under growing pressure. The Malagasy Water and Forestry Commission estimates that since 1984, 21 percent of Madagascar's natural forests have been degraded, causing a decline in species biodiversity, deforestation and a significant reduction of timber resources. It is estimated that between 70 and 90 percent of the wood that has been cut was used as fuel. The Louis Berger Group (Berger) was selected to assist the Ministry of Energy and Mines to formulate plans for improving the management of this precious resource.

Mahajanga, with a population of over 100,000, is the capital of the Mahajanga Province. Located on Bombetoka Bay, an inlet of the Mozambique Channel at the mouth of the Betsiboka River on the northwestern coast of Madagascar, the city was founded by Arab traders in the 1700s, and is the third largest port in Madagascar. Mahajanga is also the regional road terminus and center for the export of sugar, coffee, spices, cassava, vegetable oils, timber and vanilla beans. Berger conducted three separate detailed field surveys to assess the supply of sustainable fuelwood in the region, including a wood consumption study to determine the level of local demand. Through this study Berger was able to calculate the likely availability of timber supplies; rural, urban and industrial fuelwood demand; and surplus timber resources for the growing population. Utilizing the team's expertise in mapping satellite imagery and GIS, Berger created 1:100,000 scale maps pinpointing the location of the different types of timber stands and developed timber resources base maps. In addition, Berger experts developed terms of reference for launching the ambitious Mahajanga Integrated Pilot Program (PPIM).

Following the successful completion of the Sustainable Fuelwood Supply Program, The Louis Berger Group implemented a World Bank-funded domestic energy supply pilot program for both Antananarivo, Madagascar's capital, and Mahajanga. Under this project, the Berger Team considered several different areas of impact. On the environmental front, the Team analyzed and formulated methods for reducing the adverse environmental effects of the uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel in both these areas. In addition, Berger evaluated the opportunities for introducing alternative cooking fuels and sustainable levels of fuelwood for urban residents. In over 1,500 households, current fuelwood consumption was surveyed and more than 2,500 stoves tested. Berger experts were then able to introduce a variety of improved stoves that were simple to use, inexpensive and economical. Field tests demonstrated fuel savings of at least 30 percent and reached 50 percent when recommended economical cooking practices were adopted. Studies were also undertaken to evaluate the feasibility of using industrial and agricultural wastes such as rice husks as a fuel for brick-making, charcoal dust for briquette production and wood from selective thinning of large pine forest areas to reduce the indiscriminate cutting of timber.

Existing nationwide forestry maps prepared in 1960 were updated. The first figures in over 35 years on annual nationwide wood production and the exact location, state and size of forest reserves were prepared. To create the 1:50,000-scale maps, the Team used satellite imagery and air and ground surveys to pin-point accurately the location of the forest resources in the 22,000 square kilometer Antananarivo supply zone. The Team also surveyed the types and amount of wood products and quantities of charcoal and fuelwood coming into Antananarivo and Mahajanga for a seven-day period during different seasons, including the transport and selling methods and the supply areas. This detailed study of wood product flows was supplemented with sample surveys of wood consumption and sales by timber merchants and major charcoal producers. Finally, domestic energy supply and demand was forecast through the year 2010, and alternative production and consumption scenarios tested. The final program was designed to introduce more efficient energy sources and minimize the use of wood as a fuel while improving the management of existing timber reserves.

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