Like every year, vanilla is celebrating in Mayotte in November. Farmers and representatives of agricultural structures promote vanilla through their plant production.
“A sector restarting after a decline”
Fundi Madi, agricultural producer, without whom vanilla cultivation in Mayotte would certainly have disappeared, recalls that during the colonial era, vanilla was become an iconic spice. After a golden age in the 1970s, vanilla cultivation gradually ran out of steam. “But fortunately a few passionate producers had kept the farm and were able to come together to save the sector. Until today, thanks to the association, we have supported this sector. » According to him, young people must now take over. “We want young people to take over in the sector. »
Among the farmers, a young vanilla producer, Abassi Dimassi, member of the Saveurs et Senteurs de Mayotte association, echoes the point: “The producers are people of a certain age, it is our responsibility, we the youth of Mayotte to establish itself in the sector so that Mayotte maintains its image as a vanilla-producing island and its associated quality. The association is working to structure the sector to identify producers and raise their awareness of good practices. »
“Our students will be the ambassadors of Mahorais vanilla”
As it was imported, vanilla took time to find its place in Mahorese cuisine. “Before, it was a product very little used in Mahorese cuisine because it was a product which was mainly imported, so there is a lot of work to be done on promoting the product in the territory, and this involves young people. », recalls Julie Moutet, coordinator of the Saveurs et Senteurs de Mayotte association. In this context, the principal of the LPO of Kawéni, Aminata Thienta, wishes to “explore in the educational field” all the ways of increasing students' know-how about vanilla, in order to anchor it in the culinary tradition of the school. island: “We are here to give you what we can for the structuring of the vanilla sector. This is important because vanilla will gradually integrate high school menus and thus become a lasting part of Mahorese cuisine. Our students will be the ambassadors of Mahorais vanilla. »
A competitive ocean of flavors
But if Mahorese vanilla has great prospects ahead of it, it is immersed in a competitive ocean of flavors. Indeed, the island of perfumes is not the only vanilla-producing territory in the Indian Ocean. And the competition is not the least. One thing led to another, vanilla produced in the Comoros, Madagascar and Reunion Island have taken a notable place in the international vanilla market. Faced with this, Mahorais producers are lucid: “We are not competitive if we consider the cost of labor. However, the only way we can stand out is by offering a better quality product. It is really the objective of the association to move towards the most optimal quality possible. », Estimates Julie Moutet. To achieve this, a research project is being carried out with the chemistry laboratory of the Coconi Rural Excellence Center, to analyze the quality of Mahorese vanilla compared to vanilla from neighboring territories. “We are trying to find the chemical bio-markers that will differentiate us from Reunion, Malagasy or Comorian vanilla. » The results of this analysis will be presented during the Vanilla Festival in Coconi on Saturday, November 30.
Dates to remember
This year, thanks to significant support from the Department, the association can organize several events to promote local vanilla production.
- Thus, the week of November 25, 2024, vanilla producers will educate students from CP to CM2 about vanilla production by carrying out workshops and planning a visit to their farm.
- Saturday November 30, 2024, the entire Pole of Rural Excellence in Coconi will be mobilized for the Vanilla Festival. Conferences, events, tastings and sales of local products will be on the program. Furthermore, this day will also be an opportunity to reveal the names of the winners of a competition on black vanilla, where eight candidates introduced their vanilla to seven jurors, to try to win various prizes: “the prize for the best quality of vanilla”, “the prize for the largest volume of vanilla”, “the prize for the largest pod”, where vouchers worth 50 to 100 euros can be given to the winners. Finally, a conference will be held to present the results of a comparative analysis project of the quality of Mahorese vanilla compared to other vanillas from the Indian Ocean.
- Sunday December 1, 2024, several vanilla farms on the island will be open to the public (by reservation).
Mathilde Hangard
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