The green vanilla campaign started on July 7 in Sava. Members of the government followed the progress of the operations on the spot.
A marathon. On Monday, he led the first-ever international vanilla meeting with foreign buyers in Paris. Thursday, he was to attend the opening of the green vanilla campaign in Sava but he was delayed by a flight. But as soon as he got back, he took the plane yesterday to join the Sava and see on the spot the progress of the operations. The Minister of Industrialization, Trade and Consumer Affairs, Edgard Razafindravahy did not have time to breathe. But the commitment made by the state to restore vanilla to its original place is worth it. It was therefore with three other members of the government, including the Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, Serge Gelle, that he made the trip. It is obvious, the deputies elected in the Sava and the senator Eric Besoa, were also of the expedition.
This is to say the determination of the State, displayed moreover by the President of the Republic, to win the challenge of vanilla, one of the products that provides foreign currency. This year alone, with more than 2,500 tons of vanilla exported, the state could earn $600 million. That is more than the amount of the budget of a project financed by donors. We therefore understand better why the State wants to bring order to this sector and clarify the rules of the game, especially after a troubled period when the price of vanilla has completely plummeted for lack of organization and structure. Everyone did what they liked even if it meant selling off the vanilla, the price of which had fallen to 10,000 ariary per kilo for green vanilla after having reached 200,000 ariary. The planters are the main victims in this unfair trade and then the State since vanilla no longer brought anything to its fund. And it is quite obvious that this situation has benefited a minority who buy from planters at a low price to resell on the international market.
Walking forward
It is to prevent growers from living through such a nightmare that the State, in consultation with vanilla buyers, has decided to set floor prices and ensure that they are applied. “The minimum price of green vanilla in Madagascar is 75,000 ariary. It is a law and we are all required to respect it”. reminded Minister Edgard Razafindravahy yesterday in Manakana, a small fokontany in the commune of Ambodiampana, about sixty kilometers from Sambava. The Secretary of State for the Gendarmerie, Serge Gellé, backed up Minister Razafindravahy’s remarks by promising protection for plantations and harvests as well as monitoring compliance with floor prices by traders. This is all the more necessary as the vanilla is of exceptional quality this year. The price of 75,000 ariary is ultimately a gift. This is why collectors are ready to buy all the production of this campaign.
In addition, about forty Micc agents will remain on site throughout the campaign to monitor the application of prices.
The State continues its inexorable march forward in the recovery of vanilla. The objective is to be able to produce and export as much vanilla as possible at a good price. The machine is launched now. But the state is not an exporter and only regulates the sector.
“The market is totally free. All operators can operate in the vanilla sector provided they comply with the law. There is not the shadow of a monopoly” underlined Minister Razafindravahy. As we can see, the recovery of vanilla does not only make people happy.