“A lot can be done as a group of people with a shared vision.”
Niell Coetzee
How to create crop and income security with a high-risk product —such as vanilla— and with a group of farmers that have never worked with organic methods before? How to do so by offering the best quality product? In 2017, when Coetzee Organic (U) Ltd. started working with vanilla, they had the vision to create a production system that benefited the soil for its care and management, the workers for the fair practices and pay, and the consumer for the remarkable quality of the product. Since the vanilla grows in a hilly environment, soil erosion was a particular focus as they implemented their sustainable and organic production systems: intercropping became a must.
Today, Coetzee Organic (U) Ltd. has proved this possible. Farmers are rewarded individually for their quality management. They’ve also, quite rapidly, grown. From 300kg of vanilla in the first season to 8-10 tons per season (for both organic and conventional). From 11 farmers, to 1489. They also employ around 72 people for production, logistics, accounting, certification processes, and training. They hire mostly women (80% of the factory workers are women and 50% of the field officers) and implemented a completely traceable system in a region where individual efforts were only seen as part of a collective, while offering up to 57% above-market prices for premium organic quality. For us, at ProFound, it’s a privilege and honour to walk with our partners in Kasese and assist in offering their outstanding products to the international market.
Variety: Vanilla panifolia
Process: After harvesting, green vanilla is directly bought from the farmers, sorted and graded based on gluco-vanillin for each farmer to determine the quality grade and price. Vanilla is then combined into groups, size sorted again, and washed with water. Soon after vanilla is blanched in hot water for two or three minutes and left in the sweatbox for seven days. Finally, vanilla is sundried for 10 to 12 weeks, sorted, weighted and graded.
100% traceable vanilla
Certifications: EU, NOP and JAS
Collectors at work!
Curious about Coetzee Organics? Visit them!
0 Comments