TURA, JUNE 25: A French Company – Eurovanille- is eyeing North East to introduce vanilla plantation. The company, which has its operational unit at Coimbatore, is all set to introduce vanilla plantation in Meghalaya’s Garo hills.
The Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre, which is running a western Hoolock Gibbon conservation programme in Garo hills has partnered with Eurovanille to introduce vanilla plantation in Garo hills.
The company official met the prospective farmers at Silsotchigre village in West Garo Hills yesterday to set the venture rolling in Garo hills. The farmers were sensitized on the prospects of vanilla plantation and its huge demand in the international market.
Production Director Nicolas Lebas, who is in India for expansion of the vanilla production in North East, said that the climate is suitable for the cultivation in Garo hills and company would initially sign a buyback contract for 14 years.
“We have launched a programme to promote vanilla plantation in India. As part of the project, we are exploring possibilities to partner with different organisations to introduce the plantation in Northeast”, said Nicholas Lebas, production director of Eurovanille.
Eurovanille set up its enterprise in India in 2004. “We want to have a long term contract with the farmers, since we want visibility and long term activity”, said Lebas.
He said that Madagascar produces 80 per cent of the world vanilla, however, at present the political situation is not conducive, so the company is expanding its business in India as international buyers have shown keen interest to procure vanilla grown in India.
He also said that there is huge demand for vanilla, which is organic and grown in rainforest areas.
Eurovanille has appointed an agronomist for sensitization about the plantation in Garo hills and its demand in international market.
“Vanilla cultivation is not new in North East, so we are trying to encourage farmers in Garo hills to take up the plantation. We will provide technical support and handholding to the farmers in selected project villages and subsequently expand the programme to rest of Garo hills”, said the manager.
The project will be executed in Silsotchigre village and other adjoining areas along the Nokrek wildlife sanctuary.
In the past Meghalaya government had initiated vanilla plantation, which was later abandoned, as buyers were not keen to procure vanilla beans from Garo hills. Founder of gibbon conservation programme Florian Magne is upbeat about vanilla plantation. He feels that farmers in remote Garo hills will get an alternative business opportunity, which will also aid in their conservation effort.
“We want to secure the economic status of the people by combining it with conservation of nature, so vanilla plantation looks to be one best option. If it works well, in the next two to three years, we will expand the project”, said Florian Magne, the founder Sonja Wildlife Rescue Centre.
The students of agri business management and food technology from North East Hill University (NEHU) also took part in the sensitization programme. The students expressed that the initiative of the French organisations will be economically viable, as they have assured to sign an agreement with the farmers.-From Our Correspondent
This was the Vision of the Great Leader from Garo Hills, (L) Cyprian R Sangma, the Pioneer in Vanilla Plantation. We miss you dude.