«SALAMA MATEZA» – HEALTHY MATEZA

ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR CACAO FARMERS IN MADAGASCAR

Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world. From an ecological point of view, it is a biodiversity hotspot and is one of the selected producers of fine cacao. 80% of the population lives in rural areas and 77% of this rural population lives below the national poverty line.

The majority of smallholder farmers do not have access to comprehensive health care and are thus excluded from the health system.

Health expenses are high, plunging many of Madagascar's smallholder farmers into extreme poverty. When farmers fall ill, they are often denied treatment or face extremely high treatment costs. For these reasons, many do not even seek help.

THE «SALAMA MATEZA» PROJECT

To create better conditions, the «Salama Mateza» (healthy Mateza) project was launched in 2021: Max Felchlin AG, the local partner Sambirano SA as well as mTOMADY and Elucid supported all 880 smallholders of the Mateza Cooperative and their families (about 5'000 people) by enabling and financing their access to health insurance.

THE AIM OF THE PROJECT

The aim of the project was to improve access to quality, affordable health services and essential medicines for cacao farmers. This was done through mobile health care. This mobile technology enabled financial inclusion in health services and could additionally be used to reach beneficiaries quickly.

Together with interested clients, Max Felchlin AG made the project financially possible. The funds flowed into the insurance premiums via the Felchlin Sélection Fund. They were only allowed to be used for this purpose. Thanks to mobile technology, the benefits were 100% transparent and traceable. The project was designed for the long term and should become self-sustaining in the further future. Fortunately, the project developed so positively that it could be handed over in full to Sambirano SA after only two years.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Max Felchlin AG and Sambirano SA have been working together with small farmers in the region of the Sambirano Valley in Madagascar since 2005 to procure high-quality cacao. Now that the «Salama Mateza» project is continuing locally, the parties are already discussing the implementation of further projects in the health sector. We will be happy to provide information about this here.

For more details and information, please contact your personal Felchlin sales consultant.