Do trees grow better on certified land? Evidence from a smallholder program in Madagascar

Abstract

Based on a smallholder reforestation program in Madagascar (PLAE III, supported by KfW), we assess whether land rights formalization enhances ecological outcomes. We combine administrative and primary household survey data with satellite imagery, leveraging quasi-experimental variation in the unexpected presence of colonial land titles for causal identification. We find significantly more tree growth on certified area, but no broader welfare gains.