Reviving the Dominica Vanilla Growers Association
Dear Editor:
It is written: “He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap” (Ecclesiastes 11:4). Quite often marked events occur, which shape and form our business world, prompting us to keep a vigilant eye at the marketplace. Owing to natural and man-made setbacks in Madagascar (largest producer of vanilla) coupled with the massive demand for vanilla, this orchid is now the most demanded spice and the market have witnessed an upward mobility in price of $120.00 per pound. I perceive that the time and conditions are ripe and favorable to implementing a mild alternative to banana. Vanilla appears to be a perfect candidate with an attractive price range. It is reasonable to say, that one pound of vanilla can generate earnings equivalent to 50 boxes or 1500 pounds of banana.
Since the inception of the Dominica Trade Union in 1945, there has been a litany of programs and projects geared towards diversification of our agricultural sector and a host of well meant platitudes in support of such attempts. A handsome parcel of these programs has been implemented with satisfactory success; others have passed through the pipeline obliviously. Sir Arthur Lewis, the great Caribbean Economist, warned us of the dreadful implications of mono-cropping or the predominance of one crop over many alternatives on the agricultural scene.
In Osmond O. Baron “Some Strategic Plans For Consideration in the Agricultural Development of Dominica” which was recommended to the Ministry of Agriculture in 2002, the author highlighted the need to explore the full productive potential of crop production and promotion. He emphasized that vanilla was a crop with great marketing potential and tremendous promise. He continued, “Dominica should explore the production of high priced commodities like vanilla, grow them organically and regain a competitive edge, especially in the production of vanilla dried beans with very limited or no market restrictions”. A point of initiation: select a group of interested growers who may have experience in vanilla production and provide them with production assistance through DEXIA, the Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture, SPAT, AID Bank, et cetera. Marketing support as regards distribution can be provided by Archipelago, Whitchurch and Astaphans, all of which are registered under Yahoo B2B search engine as vanilla exporters. Other entities such as DEXIA, Buydominica.com, Caribbeansupplies.com and Dominica Diaspora groups can lend their weight.
It is expedient that all those with an interest or stake in Dominica vanilla industry become tightly netted in order to maintain an undisrupted spring of pertinent information. In support of Baron’s idea, I apprehend that it would be prudent to amalgamate interested farmers into an organization with some semblance of trade unionism, with less emphasis on labor and more emphasis on market reach. An organization whose cardinal objective would be to implement and orchestrate a policy of “no crop left behind”, with a penchant for maintaining high international product quality standards. This entity should be a strong advocate of the farmers – supporting the view that farmers should receive the lion share of every vanilla dollar generated. One can only achieve longivity in business when those at the heart of it, get the most of it.
In the biography of Franklin Andrew Baron, Dominica’s First Chief Minister, Irvin Andre’ reveals a letter from Mr. Franklin to Honorable Eugenia Charles outlining areas of a long-term economic programme. In this letter under the section “Development and Job Creation”, Mr Franklin emphazised the need for new projects dealing with essential oils, of which vanilla is part. Dominica was and still is an Orchid House. A report (Vanilla Cultivation in New Global Regions), by Arvind S. Ranadive, Ph.D., of Premier Vanilla Inc, a New Jersey vanilla trading firm, list Dominica among the vanilla producing countries of the world.
Supplemental data to corroborate this claim can be found in a 1995 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The report, which was prepared, in part, by Dominica notables such as Winston Magloire of the Division of Agriculture, Gregory Rabess of SPAT, Arlington James of the forestry Division and Artherton Martin of the Dominica Conservation Association, accentuated the need for diversification and ticketed vanilla as one of the “important or potentially important” plants on the island. An interesting and seemingly noteworthy observation underscored in the report was the “poor marketability of produce” as a contributing factor affecting the production of non-banana crops. Further authoritative data can be gleaned from a 28-page report of the Dominica Vanilla Growers Association.
One of the foreseeable setbacks to this noble initiative would be the lack of trust farmers have in any diversification programme, which, of course, is understandable. Over the years we have raised their hope only to let them down at time of harvest. This toppsy-turvey relationship has characterised our agriculture system for some time because we depended on bigger countries, especially those with commonwealth connections to provide us with special concessions and colonial strap exemptions. We have found out that we need to reinvent our business relationship concomitant to the dynamics of the world. No longer can we depend on colonial ties as a guarantee to market entry and special pricing. We must find ways, most preferably the internet, to communicate our products to the world – even the remotest parts. Via the Internet, it is possible to reach millions, connect firms and individuals with targeted interest and create viable long-term relationships based on mutual interest in products and services, which Dominica provides.
This effort to resuscitate a promising vanilla association necessitates a united front. Nation building advances when divided alliances dissipate. A correspondence from the general manager of DEXIA, Gregoire Thomas, reveals that efforts are on the way to fan in fresh air into the association. Let us not wait on government to weight in their supplies on this pivotal subject. God helps those who help themselves! I, however, call upon the Prime Minister, the Honorable Edison James (who arguably did tremendous good for the banana industry) and other important keys to lend their influence and expertise to assure the fruits of such vines see the light of day.
If you would like to participate in reviving the industry please Email: market@buydominica.com
For more info please see article on vanilla by the director of Buydominica
Links
The Vanilla Report
The Vanilla Report/La Lettre de la Vanille is a bi-lingual publication
which provides the vanilla commodity market with the technical and
objective information it needs
Vanilla Growing and Cultivating
National Ice cream Retailers Association
Dominica Vanilla Growers Association
Article on
Reviving the Vanilla Association
Vanilla
Prices as high as $500.00 per Kilo
