By Henintsoa Rakoto Harison,
In the lush lands of northeastern Madagascar, there’s a tale of strength and hope echoing through the villages. Our recent journey there revealed some eye-opening truths about the struggles faced by local farmers. But more than that, it showed us just how resilient and resourceful these communities are.
Presentation of the results to the communities in Andrapengy
It all started back in January 2023 when we first sat down with the villagers of Mandena and Andrapengy to hear their stories. We wanted to understand how shocks like the Cyclone Enawo, COVID-19, and fluctuating vanilla prices were affecting their lives, and how they coped with these consecutive crises. What we found was both devastating and inspiring.
The cyclone had wreaked havoc on crops and incomes, leaving many families struggling to put food on the table. And when the pandemic hit, things got even tougher. Jobs disappeared, and food became scarce. But through it all, these communities didn’t give up. They found ways to adapt, changing what they ate and how they made money.
Presentation of the results to the communities in Mandena
Villagers in Mandena
In April 2023, we came back to dig a little deeper. This time, we brought along some games on tablet computers and surveys to help us understand how people managed their land and how they’d respond to shocks such as the vanilla price collapse. We learned that even though vanilla farming was tough, it was still the main way people made a living. But some farmers were trying new things, like diversifying their crops or teaming up with others to sell their goods.
Then, in March 2024, we went back once more to feedback our research results to communities. We shared our findings with the villagers via flyers, posters and community meetings, and asked for their thoughts. They told us about their hopes and fears, their successes and struggles. In Mandena, folks were feeling hopeful, thanks to some new projects and ideas. In Andrapengy, they were holding out for better times, still banking on vanilla but trying out other ways to make ends meet.
Villagers in Andrapengy
As researchers, we are grateful for the chance to learn from our neighbors. Their stories remind us of the power of community and the importance of resilience. And they show us that even in the toughest times, there is always hope for a brighter future.