Vanilla's Journey: From Pollination to Profit

This chapter explores Madagascar's vanilla industry, highlighting its unique cultivation methods and the historical significance of hand-pollination. It reveals the darker side of the industry, including violence and theft that accompany the rise of wealth among farmers known as 'vanillionaires.' Additionally, the chapter contrasts the vanilla industry with the harsh realities of coltan mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo, exploring the broader implications of resource extraction on poverty and ethical sourcing.