In Madagascar — one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries — a devastating drought , punctuated by intense cyclones , has pushed more than a million people into hunger . As extreme weather exacerbates poverty and malnutrition, farmers are caught in a dangerous Catch-22: Climate change threatens their crops and livelihoods, prompting them to expand their farms by cutting down trees. This, in turn, intensifies the effect of droughts, flooding and soil erosion. According to a new report, sustainable agriculture practices can help farmers break this cycle . The report assesses the results of a program launched in Madagascar five years ago by Conservation International and the United Nations’ Green Climate Fund to help farmers implement new climate-smart practices — like using drought-resistant crops, mulching to prevent soil erosion during heavy rains and planting native fruit trees that provide both shade and new sources of income. Researchers say those efforts are paying off.…