SAVA, this capital of vanilla, this opulent region which had enough to eat, is beginning to conjugate the verb “to be rich” in the imperfect tense.
The story takes a turn for the worse. It’s not okay! The price of vanilla has seen a considerable decline over the past two years. Hands under their chin, the affiliates of the sector do not know what to do. For the planters, we must act in the meantime, find another alternative to survive. Planting khat instead of vanilla… An official from the town of Sambava asked a “green trader”, “just an interview with a seller who told me that before he was a vanilla agent but that he had to do the khat business currently because it’s the only way out. According to him, there is a demand at the local level. Thus, leaves with a stimulating effect are flooding the market. The inhabitants prefer to chew them in order to anesthetize the pain of the attack. Some do not hide their concern, like Emile Mahatana, an economist from the SAVA region. “Does he know a lasting solution? I can’t even imagine the effect it will have. Vanilla is more than a cash crop, it is our heritage. We will not only destroy our identity, but also sacrifice our children,” he insisted. Should we remember that on the other side, namely the DIANA region, following the crisis of the 1990s, the inhabitants of Joffre-Ville and Antsalaka transformed their vegetable gardens into khat fields. Apparently history repeats itself. And, what is surprising, the stewards do not react. The northern part of Madagascar is moving towards an incredible green economy… Another ecological dimension never seen in sixty-three years of independence! Operators had been frowning for more than two years. So far no one came to their aid. Only empty words and false promises! According to some, the population of this region feels abandoned by the central power. That’s a 180 degree turn! The population of this region chose a rather strange exchange option of their own free will, despite themselves! However, they still hope that the crisis will end, and that after the storm there will be good weather. Furthermore, senior officials have an interest in scrupulously studying the case of SAVA, the sooner the better. Soon it will be the rainy season. Vulnerable to natural hazards, let’s cross our fingers that the locality will not be shaken by a cyclone because the damage will be considerable. SAVA will be overwhelmed by a hell of a crisis!!
Iss Heridiny