Fandriaka Mahomby: building the resilience of vanilla producers

Engaged since March 2024 in the SAVA region, the “Fandriaka Mahomby” project is beginning its second year.

The objective is to support 5,000 vanilla producers to reduce their economic vulnerability. Led by a consortium of local and international actors, including Bôndy International, Symrise, The Magnum Ice Cream Company, OSDRM, Rural Cap and Save the Children.

Indeed, the vanilla sector is facing instability due to the fluctuation of the international market, but also to climatic hazards. Thus, the strategy is based on diversifying sources of income and securing natural capital. By integrating agroforestry into vanilla plantations, the project allows farmers to protect their crops against climatic hazards (shade, water regulation) while producing additional resources (fruits, firewood, food crops, other cash crops).

In the field, Bôndy is implementing all transition activities towards regenerative practices and aims to support 1,284 producers, through the development of 30 community nurseries, the monitoring of plantations, and technical training in agroecological methods. Bôndy also leads capacity building actions in women's leadership, green entrepreneurship (in collaboration with Save the Children), ecosystem preservation and forest restoration.

What is the status of the project?

To date, the project is in a very promising state of progress. The local community and the beneficiaries are enthusiastic about it.

• Record production in nurseries : thanks to the commitment of our 47 local nurserymen (36% of whom are women), more than 87,000 plants were produced between 2024 and 2026, divided into 22,500 agroforestry plants, 40,000 silvicultural plants and 25,000 forest plants in 2024-2026. This performance represents 67% of the objectives set over 4 years and exceeds the initial forecasts by 30%. It illustrates the strong mobilization of village communities and the collective dynamic in favor of the restoration of ecosystems.
• Visible results : already 802 producers have transformed their plots by integrating new trees. The quality of technical monitoring is bearing fruit: 96% of agroforestry plants have survived, ensuring the sustainability of the investment.
• Preparing tomorrow's skills : Resilience requires knowledge. 177 farmers have been trained in sustainable maintenance techniques, and 253 young people have joined the green entrepreneurship program to support the future of the sector.