Deal #1454

The mayor of the villages gave permission for the company to acquire the land without consultation of the community members. The people complain that Tozzi Green did not hold an information and consultation session with the fokonolona (2) when it arrived nor before signing the second lease, and that their refusal to give up their land was not taken into account. The people complain that Tozzi Green did not hold an information and consultation session with the fokonolona (2) when it arrived nor before signing the second lease, and that their refusal to give up their land was not taken into account. The interviewees stated that small groups close to the mayors were consulted and gave their agreement, but many others wrote letters of protest. People expressing their opposition to JTF/Tozzi Green’s activities wrote to local, regional and national authorities, but some of the responses did not meet their expectations. Also, the right to information and freedom of expression of those affected by the project was violated. For security reasons, and given the lack of response from national authorities, they stopped writing and speaking on television in Antananarivo, but their opposition and anger remain.

The community members get fined if their cattle walks on the jatropha plants. The amount varies but is usually around 40 000 Ariary. in January 2012, villagers sent a letter of complaint to the Chief District Ihosy Area of Ihorombe at President of the Court of Ihosy the Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister and the President of Transition. On 18 November, 2013, 350 inhabitants signed a petition, which they sent to the local and national authorities asking them to intervene to stop the expansion of the plantations. On December 1, 2013, the chiefs received a warning letter from the State not to disrupt the expansion of Tozzi Green. Community refuse to give up land despite pressure from the company

The community can not access their grazing land as it is landlocked by the companies land. The community members get fined if their cattle walks on the jatropha plants. The amount varies but is usually around 40 000 Ariary. in January 2012, villagers sent a letter of complaint to the Chief District Ihosy Area of Ihorombe at President of the Court of Ihosy the Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister and the President of Transition. On 18 November, 2013, 350 inhabitants signed a petition, which they sent to the local and national authorities asking them to intervene to stop the expansion of the plantations. On December 1, 2013, the chiefs received a warning letter from the State not to disrupt the expansion of Tozzi Green. The conflict stems from lease agreements signed between Tozzi Green and the Malagasy state, which granted thousands of hectares in the communes of Satrokala, Andiolava, and Ambatolahy without adequate free, prior, and informed consent of local communities. These lands were traditionally used by rural populations for subsistence farming and zebu grazing—activities essential to their livelihoods. Residents report that no proper consultations were held with the fokonolona (community assemblies), and that their letters of opposition were ignored. Furthermore, the arrival of Tozzi Green restricted access to water, reduced farmland and grazing areas, and worsened food insecurity. Promises of employment and local development were not fully fulfilled, leading to disappointment and social discontent.

The organizations denouncing the project —such as Collectif TANY and ActionAid Italy— state that the company has engaged in land grabbing, restricted access to water resources, and undermined the right to food, which has caused severe impacts on the traditional livelihoods of local communities. One report states that the food security is increasingly becoming problematic for the displaced families.

-The community can not access their grazing land as it is landlocked by the company's land. -Reliance on livestock and agriculture; need for land for zebu grazing and food production -Increased hardship, restricted grazing areas, decreased cattle health and productivity -Loss of access to land traditionally used for subsistence farming and cattle grazing. -Restricted access to water, especially due to the use of motorized pumps for commercial crops. -Increased food insecurity as agricultural and grazing areas have diminished. -Lack of adequate consultation, with community assemblies (fokonolona) excluded from decision-making. -Unfulfilled development promises, such as jobs, infrastructure, and public services -Violation of rights to information and expression, with local opposition being ignored or silenced. -Social tension and mistrust, due to the perceived injustice and marginalization of local populations.

A school has been built in Andiolava. A medical centre has also been built, however only the community members who gave up their land to the company can be treated free of charge. Creche for employees children. The company supports community sporting teams.The company trains the locals using 2 hectare per village (4 villages). Some inhabitants who had agreed to give up their land in response to the promises of development made by the company upon its arrival said they deeply regretted having done so because the infrastructures, schools, and health centers promised at the level of the fokontany (3) exist only in the chief town of the commune to date. Tozzi Green promised to create local jobs, build infrastructure such as schools, health centers, and water access systems, and provide opportunities for agricultural and social development through investment in the communes of Satrokala, Andiolava, and Ambatolahy. The company also committed to improving living standards through rural electrification and inclusion in sustainable economic activities.

A school has been built in Andiolava. A medical centre has also been built, however only the community members who gave up their land to the company can be treated free of charge. Creche for employees children. The company supports community sporting teams.The company trains the locals using 2 hectare per village (4 villages). construction of drinking water distribution points which provide 12,000 litres of drinking water per day; electrification of the village of Satrokala, with renewable resources; a partnership with the Terres en Mêlées association to develop education through playing rugby; environmental education for all the children and young people in the villages where the company has a base. Some actions were carried out, such as the installation of solar and wind energy systems in Satrokala, the daily provision of drinking water, and the construction of basic infrastructure in the communal capital. However, many promises were not fully met: most jobs created were temporary and precarious, the infrastructure did not reach all villages, and the majority of the population has not experienced significant improvements in their living conditions.

in January 2012, villagers sent a letter of complaint to the Chief District Ihosy Area of Ihorombe at President of the Court of Ihosy the Minister of the Interior, the Prime Minister and the President of Transition. On 18 November, 2013, 350 inhabitants signed a petition, which they sent to the local and national authorities asking them to intervene to stop the expansion of the plantations. On December 1, 2013, the chiefs received a warning letter from the State not to disrupt the expansion of Tozzi Green. It should be noted that in April 2022, the Belgian NGO Entraide et Fraternité also visited the communes where JTF Tozzi Green has its land leases. The team was received by the company’s staff in Antananarivo and Satrokala. The documents (with research questions)they were promised during these meetings were never received, despite several reminders. Several NGOs, including ActionAid Italy and the Collectif TANY, filed a formal complaint against Tozzi Green. They allege that the company's agro-industrial activities in the Ihorombe region have violated human rights, negatively impacting the food security and access to water of local communities. Additionally, they accuse the company of failing to conduct adequate consultations and using intimidation tactics against residents.