Trip #2-October 2007

Commune: Mahabo/Mamanivo

District: Farafangana

Region: Atsimo Atsinamana

Madagascar

Report issued December 8, 2007

Prepared for Johnson Andrianahy, Chef de Region, Atsimo Atsinamana, Madagascar

Prepared by Ken Harrington, Kristen Wagner, Judi McLean Parks

Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurial Studies

Olin Business School

George Warren Brown School of Social Work

Reviewed and Translated by the Missouri Botanical Garden

EXAMPLE OF KNOWLEDGE SHARING AND COLLABORATION

MBG personnel (MBG Mahabo conservation library) supporting 170 Mahabo Blessing Basket Project weavers who spent the day discussing quality, deciding on the legal entity for their weaver association, voting on leadership, coordinating training needs, and planning for a 400% capacity increase.

Table of Contents

Page

Contexti

Executive Summaryii

  1. Purpose1
  1. Activities Completed During Last Six Months, March to October 20072
  1. Summary of Meetings and Activities4
  1. Research Approach-Trip #25
  1. Trip #2 Observations and Issues

Overview6

  1. Family and Society7
  2. Law and Community Rule8
  3. Entrepreneurship and Economy8
  4. Local Public Institutions and Their Sustainability10
  5. Blessing Basket Project Impact10
  6. Missouri Botanical Garden, Community Conservation Program Impact13
  7. Technology-Productivity Enhancement15
  8. University , NGO, and Other Collaborations15
  9. Government16

APPENDIX SECTION

APPENDIX AScreen Shot-Yahoo Group Website and link

APPENDIX BProject Madagascar Faculty Bios

APPENDIX CResearch Plan Trip #2

APPENDIX DEvaluation Template-Fokontany Economic Development

APPENDIX ETentative-January 2008 Community Conservation Manager Workshop

Saving Madagascar’s Rare Forests-Contingent upon funding

APPENDIX FWashington University Class: Course Description

APPENDIX GResearch Areas for Trip #3 and Philosophy and Hypothesis for Implementation

Discussion Draft--For Comment Only

Comments and Inputs Welcome

Not Confidential---Not for Publication

Should Not be Cited Without Discussion and Permission

Context

This report is a best efforts assessment of the entrepreneurial implementation of this initiative in the Mahabo Commune. Readers are cautioned that it is neither statistically based nor scholarly in nature. It is meant to promote dialog and continued implementation. The goal is to raise issues, continue work, and to discover by doing.

Still we feel that many of the findings and much of the information is helpful and that it will aid our multiyear support for the Missouri Botanical Garden in their Madagascar Community Conservation Program. Similarly we hope it provides useful information and perspective that the Blessing Basket Project finds valuable. We hope it is of some use to the Chef de Region and to the Mahabo community. Last, we wish to share it in hopes that thinking and research follows this initial implementation effort.

We welcome all inputs including criticism and strong disagreements. Such thoughts will help us towards our goal of finding replicable solutions for developing-world subsistence agriculture rural communities where forests and biodiversity are threatened.

Executive Summary

Trip #2-October 2007

Commune: Mahabo/Mamanivo District: Farafangana

Region: Atsimo Atsinamana

Madagascar

Report Issued December 8, 2007

Prepared for Johnson Andrianahy, Chef de Region, Atsimo Atsinamana, Madagascar

  1. The Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG), Blessing Basket Project (BBP), and Washington University in St. Louis (WU) are achieving better than expected outcomes in Mahabo commune
  • Economic growth is faster than expected
  • Comparisons to other BBP countries indicate the MBG partnership may be achieving faster and more substantial economic growth
  • Early sales of baskets in the United States indicate strong demand for the Mahabo design
  • In country basket prices have increase because of the BBP orders
  • Prices on traditional Mahabo designs doubled from $.40 to $.80 when weavers used BBP’s offers as leverage.
  • “Knockoffs” of BBP design are selling in country for $1.50 or more
  • Full quality BBP baskets are all exported at a price of $7.50 each
  • Other NGO’s and private investors are being drawn to Mahabo commune by the momentum of economic growth
  • The value of the MBG + BBP collaboration is maturing and has high potential for being a replicable model supporting conservation (forest preservation) and people (poverty reduction) on a larger scale
  1. Some conservation and weaver issues have arisen but appear fixable over the next six months
  • MBG feels conservation efforts need to be reinforced with two of the three issues they observed related to poverty and not BBP economic stimulation
  • Charcoal production was uncovered by MBG in one section of the forest
  • Cassava field fences are being constructed from young and important species of trees
  • Sedge for baskets is being pulled-up rather than being cut
  • Quality problems have occurred on some first shipment baskets
  • Leather handles are not securely attached is some instances
  • Basket bottoms are not always square
  • Die color can vary somewhat for a given basket
  • Training and administrative activities need strengthening to scale production by a factor of 4 over the next six months
  • Resolving quality issues
  • Going from 28 to 170 or more weavers
  • Spreading production across more Fokontany (villages)
  • Agreeing tasks and costs between MBG and BBP as both parties experience some “mission stretch” in their collaboration
  • Forming a new Malagasy legal entity owned and managed by the weavers
  1. Larger numbers of WU faculty, Malagasy government groups, and community members are supporting Mahabo expansion plans by BBP and MBG
  • Senior faculty at WU are engaged
  • Approximately 15 faculty members from Business, Social Work, Law, Political Science, Economics, Art, Anthropology, and Entrepreneurship are collaborating
  • Judi McLean Parks, senior faculty in the Olin Business School, is creating a cross-campus curriculum for students from all degree levels and types
  • Kristen Wagner, doctoral student, in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work is proposing dissertation research on Mahabo
  • Numerous faculty have agreed to support a Community Conservation Manager workshop in January training ten newly hired MBG Malagasy site managers who will be resident in new endangered forest locales by donating their time and tailoring curriculum
  • Case study and preliminary observation working papers are being considered for sharing
  • Johnson Andrianahy, Chef de Region, Atsimo Atsinamana, Madagascar and the Mahabo Mayor are supportive of MBG and BBP efforts
  • Convened a meeting upon our arrival with all related ministries
  • Shared regional and local plans for development
  • Discussed MBG provided list of the numerous NGO’s and groups that have now become active in Mahabo
  • Openly discussed the benefits, shortcomings, and costs of “bottom-up entrepreneurial” and “top-down public” approaches to solving problems
  • Meetings with leaders of the weavers showed strong commitment to quality improvement, expansion, knowledge sharing, and design innovation, although some “growth tensions” were apparent
  • The weavers have strong motivations and entrepreneurial instincts
  • Most tensions seem to center around how to organize for a larger order commitment
  • Fairness and transparency of quality control efforts
  • Specialization of labor options
  • Engaging weavers from more villages or concentrating production in fewer Fokontany (villages)
  • Weavers are aggressively acting on quality issues
  • Weavers are aggressively proposing new designs that they hope will reduce cost, increase quality, increase “natural” materials, and improve fashion uniqueness
  1. Mahabo commune economic growth could exceed 20% and may reach 30% in 2008 when all factors are considered
  • BBP latest order is for 3900 baskets and will contribute an estimated 11% to 14%
  • In country trade of higher priced baskets may contribute and additional 10% to 15%
  • MBG employment and investments may add another 5% to 7%
  • Numerous private and public infrastructure investments will provide jobs and new institutions that will add an undetermined amount to these estimates
  • Most road frontage land has been acquired
  • Three to five new buildings will be completed or have construction started in 2008, including a secondary school, hospital, bank, pharmacy, and general store
  • We believe that MBG’s support and guidance, particularly Reza Ludovic’s on site collaborative efforts supporting BBP, government groups, NGO’s, private investors, and the community are a significant factor contributing to Mahabo commune’s growth rate
  • MBG’s management outside Mahabo is also a large contributor to success through their many thoughts on conservation, economic, and social outcomes. Armand Randrianasolo’s efforts at Mahabo and other CCP sites as well as in St. Louis, Chris Birkinshaw’s support and guidance from Antanarivo, Peter Lowry’s perspective from Paris and in Madagascar, Andry Rajosoa’s efforts, and numerous others.
  1. Weavers are using new wealth to invest in assets that may add to future growth
  • Food, education, clothing, and hiring others continue to be the most frequently cited uses
  • Land, housing, Zebu purchase, and a weaver initiated “emergency saving fund” have occurred over the last six months
  • To date, men continue to support the newly acquired woman wealth and it is reported, although not confirmed, that women are getting more say in community affairs
  1. Begin work on increasing agricultural yields on a permanent basis across the Mahabo commune
  • Work with other NGO’s and collaborators that specialize in agriculture yield improvement
  • Begin discussions on setting a goal to increase agricultural yields on targeted fields
  • Aggressively pursue large and small solutions to irrigation and drainage
  • Investigate and test new technologies
  • Find seed and strains of rice and cassava that will suit villagers and positively impact food security and daily nutrition and health
  • Plan for knowledge sharing, training, and dissemination of new approaches
  • Consider how weaver wealth may help support technology investments and improved techniques
  1. Continued Mahabo success may lead to replication that favorably impacts Madagascar’s biodiversity and rural peoples
  • Consider and plan for replication across ten (10) rare forest sites representing up to 15% of Madagascar’ remaining biodiversity
  • Hold the hoped for CCP training workshop in January
  • Send some faculty and students to a second site in March
  • Investigate non-BBP options that would stimulate entrepreneurial economic growth at the site investigated
  • Develop evaluation methods for entrepreneurial economic growth across MBG’s ten targeted sites
  • Complete the next semester curriculum evolution at WU
  • Finalize the spring semester plan
  • Develop details for the March visit including selecting 15 students to go with four to six faculty
  • Begin formal curriculum review process in appropriate schools
  • Continue to measure outcomes and respond to conservation and economic growth issues
  • Continue dialog with residents, government, MBG, and others that uncover approaches that result in the momentum that will ensure self perpetuated conservation and quality of live improvement
  • Alternatives to MBG funded forest enforcement costs and funding
  • Assimilating new infrastructure and related public or community shared operating and support costs
  • Finding more consistent funding for education with measureable outcome improvements
  • Considering alternative ownership of common assets such as MBG facility by community
  • Thinking through solutions to on-going and adequate funding of shared public goods like health care, education, and other factors
  • Convergence of local Dina law system with national institutional systems
  • Begin feasibility assessment for expanding beyond ten sites with the goal of reaching eighty (80) sites representing preservation of nearly all of Madagascar’s rare biodiversity

The overall report and related appendices provide additional detailed information and observations.

Appendix Section Page 1

Discussion Draft--For Comment Only

Comments and Inputs Welcome

Not Confidential---Not for Publication

Should Not be Cited Without Discussion and Permission

  1. Purpose:

This report provides information on the outcomes resulting from the partnership between the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Blessing Basket Project in Mahabo Commune. The report has been prepared by Kenneth Harrington, Managing Director, of the Skandalaris Center of Entrepreneurial Studies at Washington University in St. Louis; Judi McLean Parks, Taylor Professor of Organizational Behavior, Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis; and Kristen Wagner, Doctoral Candidate, George Warren Brown School of Social Work, Washington University in St. Louis. The Missouri Botanical Garden, Madagascar and the Blessing Basket Project have contributed to this report.

We would first like to express our thanks for all the inputs that have been provided by the Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG) personnel, Theresa Wilson, Blessing Basket Project (BBP) Founder, Mahabo Commune residents, various government officials, and others. We accept full responsibility for any errors or omissions in this document.

This report should be read in conjunction with the first report on the same project. In this report, we provide updates on several outcomes, and assume that the reader is familiar with the initial report (March 2007). Like the first report, this report has been translated and commented upon by MBG but in the interest of time has not been rigorously reviewed.

It is our intent that this second report also should be used to:

  • Promote additional dialog
  • Update the first report and report on outcomes
  • Inform and engage more people
  • Recommend next steps to move the project to the next stage of implementation and research
  • Plan for Trip #3
  • Use findings to fund-raise for US workshop in January, 2008
  • Highlight areas of progress and areas of concern

This report summarizes three Washington University representatives’ observations made during five days in Mahabo. During this trip a series of large and small meetings were held. Four additional villages were visited, including Rorobe, Iabomary School (multiple Fokontany), Iabomary, and Lohagisy. Meetings were held with weavers and other community residents. Four markets were observed Farafangana, Mahabo, Vangandrano, and Antananarivo. Additionally, multiple one-on-one discussions were held with MBG personnel, representatives from US-AID and Catholic Relief Services, as well as others. MBG personnel served as hosts, guides and interpreters. We would not have been able to hold these meetings without the support and help of the MBG. Additionally, two videographers were retained to record several interviews, meetings, and conservations. These tapes provided a record, but the videographers’ presence influenced comments and responses.

  1. Activities Completed During Last Six Months, March to October 2007:

In this section, we have provided an update on activities that have been completed since the first report (March 2007), including the activities of BBP, MGB, and Washington University.

BBP Accomplishments

BBP has experienced continued growth over the past six months. Its Board of Directors has authorized the formation of a new for profit legal entity as well as a large capital campaign ($1 million) for the existing 501(c)(3). The intent of this capital campaign is to raise funds to support working capital and other needs required for continued growth.

BBP has authorized a second order of 3900 baskets for the Mahabo commune contingent upon quality improvements for an initial order of 900 units. This represents a nearly 400% increase in production over the initial order.

BBP also has been involved in fund raising support along two dimensions. First, BBP has helped to raise funds for a new hospital. BBP has raised $1500, which has been transferred to MBG to support the cost of the new hospital. This increases the total dollars raised to $21,500. An additional $13,000 is needed based upon construction bids that have been submitted to MBG. Second, BBP also has engaged in personal philanthropic support for Mama Dada. Mama Dada, a weaver with failing eyesight caused by cataracts, received direct BBP support for her needed cataract operation. This operation has been completed, and despite some complications, appears successful.

MBG Accomplishments

MBG has increased the Community Conservation Project (CCP) expansion on three fronts. First, Reza Ludovic has been involved in numerous social and economic development activities in Mahabo commune and the region. These will be summarized in the body of the report and include government activities, engaging other NGOs, support for private investments, and a number of other activities.

Second, Armand Randrianasolo has worked with four additional CCP sites. The hope is that site specific social and economic development opportunities can be identified by Washington University for these sites and their people. Mahabo’s preliminary success indicates such replication activities would be useful, although BBP weaving may not be the best opportunity.

Third, MBG, with funding from the Goldman Foundation, has been researching ten additional sites with the goal of having five given initial protection status by the national government. Once complete, MBG expects to undertake full CCP-like implementation at these five additional sites. CCP personnel are currently being selected and trained in anticipation of this expansion.

MBG also collaborated with BBP to hold an exclusive sale of Mahabo baskets. This was done in conjunction with the MBG gift shop and resulted in the sale of 400 to 500 baskets in five weeks (about one half of the original BBP Mahabo order).

Washington University Accomplishments

Washington University added capacity to its faculty involvement and completed research related to Madagascar and community development. The research including continued dialog with economics Nobel Laureate Dr. Douglass C. North and other faculty, especially those engaged with the Center for New Institutional Social Sciences and the George Warren Brown School of Social Work. Additionally, a research assistant, John Boumgarden, completed work that is posted on the new Mahabo Yahoo! Group website. This website is open to all partners and is administered by the Skandalaris Center. It serves as a repository for shared information and work. (See Appendix A)