May 24, 2019 - Ifanadiana District, Madagascar -
CRS ICT4D/GIS Specialist Olivia Rasolomampianin flies a drone from the rooftop of CRS partner agency ValBio in Ranomafana.

The drone is used to document and map CRS projects in Madagascar, including deforestation and effort to address it through the SPICES project.

Through the project, launched in 2018, CRS is working to both reduce deforestation by providing local access to a range of tree seedlings, and bolster livelihoods through training and access to valuable cash crops like vanilla, pepper and cacao.

The goal of the SPICES project is to improve local management of forested and agricultural landscapes, strengthen adaptive capacity and reduce exposure to climate risks of agricultural households, improve health and nutrition and improve education. Currently, the focus is the environment and agriculture; and as funding increases will include health and education.

Photo by David Snyder/Catholic Relief Services