As previously reported on www.ingredientsnetwork.com, tropical storm Enawo hit Madagascar as the most powerful storm in 13 years. The storm reached the island in the Sava region, wher Barry Callebaut and Prova launched their joint project to introduce cocoa farming to Madagascar’s main vanilla producing area. Both companies are donating CHF 50,000 for immediate support of the local farmers.

Last fall, Barry Callebaut and Prova, a manufacturer of vanilla extracts and flavours, joined forces to diversify and stabilize revenues of vanilla farmers through the introduction of cocoa farming. The joint project’s activities are focusing on the Sava region, the main vanilla growing in the northern part of Madagascar - heavily hit now by the Enawo cyclone.

As young cocoa trees were being planted shortly before the storm, Barry Callebaut notes that is too early to assess how Enawo affected the joint project. Furthermore, damages are not only impacting vanilla and cocoa, but also other cash crops such as rice, cloves, market gardening essential to the livelihood of local populations.

“Since last Wednesday, our local teams have been mobilized to support the local communities in their first needs, making the assessment of damages and organizing the most suited response,” said Alessandra Ognibene-Lerouvillois, Chief Sustainability Officer at Prova.

One of the main goals of initiating the joint project was to fund and support local communities through social, health and education programs. Today, after Enowa, Barry Callebaut and Prova say they are more than ever committed to this endeavour.