Presenter: Caellagh Morrissey
Mentors: Kathie Carpenter, International Studies; Lindsay Braun, History
Oral Presentation
Major: History
From ice cream to body lotion, everyone knows the taste and scent of vanilla, but where does it come from and what are its impacts? This study aims to determine the negative impacts of vanilla production and exportation in Madagascar by exploring the sources of these negative impacts and identifying ongoing or potential solutions. Data was collected through interviews with growers, collectors, exporters, and community members. People involved with each stage experienced exportation differently and held distinct views concerning what they saw as specific issues within the industry. However, there was a general consensus that the boom-bust cycle was detrimental to poverty- stricken growers, and that quality has declined as international competition has increased. Previous solutions to these issues included farmer cooperatives, governmental and regional legislation, regional associations, and international fair-trade practices. From interviews it was discovered that vanilla exportation leaves Malagasy farmers vulnerable, while shielding both producers and exporters from many of the negative impacts of poverty and dependency. This case study reveals the modern impacts of colonial extraction and how discourse can diffuse blame when each level of production considers others to be culpable for faults in the system. It also reveals a complex system of active negotiation, which brings vanilla to the world market, and ultimately allows us to enjoy that distinct flavor.