Guardian: Faravavy, 32, lives in the middle of an arid plain 93 miles south of Betioke in southern Madagascar. She tries to support herself and her three children by cultivating maize, red beans and manioc, but is unable to grow enough to generate an income or even feed her family all year round. "We never have any crops to sell," Faravavy says. "We eat everything we produce."
During the lean season, which runs from October to March, when new crops are planted but not yet harvested, Faravavy and her youngest...