Nearly 80% of Madagascar’s population lives in rural areas, and over 60% rely directly on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods. In the south-western district of Toliara II, pastoral farming plays a central role in the local economy. This livestock-dependent region is highly exposed to climate stress, and worsening droughts now threaten both herders and their herds. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), southern Madagascar experienced four consecutive years of drought between 2019 and 2022, severely impacting food security. The project team, led by Findrama Marc Elson Rasolofoniaina, will explore how pastoral communities in Toliara II experience and respond to these challenges. Through field surveys, interviews, and questionnaires, the research will examine the links between climate shocks, economic hardship, and local adaptation strategies — with the aim of identifying pathways to reduce rural poverty and strengthen resilience.