Matana & fair trade in Madagascar: more than a commitment, a mission
- Matana Québec
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
At Matana , we don't just sell products. We're building, alongside our local partners, a fair trade system rooted in Malagasy soil. A trade that respects producers, preserves natural resources, and creates a lasting impact in the regions where our products come from.
Supporting local cooperatives is our way of making fair trade a tangible reality, with a measurable impact – economic, social and environmental.
Fair trade in Madagascar: Matana relies on committed partners
At Matana , each partner is carefully selected. We choose to collaborate only with organizations that share our values: respect for people, the earth, and a commitment to fair and sustainable trade .
It is in this spirit that we work with Malagasy agricultural cooperatives which adopt a holistic approach to development, which is economic, social and environmental.
Among these committed partners, we would like to highlight a player who deeply inspires us: Jacarandas . Their sustainable approach, which is social, environmental, and economic, shows that another model is possible.
At Matana, our contribution remains a drop in the ocean. But it's by supporting these types of concrete and meaningful initiatives that we want to move forward. This is where real change begins.
Main areas of intervention:
Support for producers: These cooperatives provide farmers with plants adapted to local conditions and provide technical support to improve crop quality and yield. They also guarantee a fair purchase price, allowing them to earn a better living from their work.
Reforestation and biodiversity protection: Faced with the challenges posed by deforestation, they are implementing reforestation programs involving local communities. Planting endemic or beneficial species helps restore soils, promote sustainable agriculture, and regenerate ecosystems.
Investments in people: A portion of the income generated is reinvested in collective projects: community projects, training producers, awareness campaigns on children's education, etc. These projects improve the living conditions of these farmers, strengthen local capacities and pave the way for long-term development.
By supporting these initiatives, Matana does more than just offer fair trade products: we contribute to the growth of a sustainable economy in the heart of the regions.
🌳 Zoom: Reforestation to regenerate
Reforestation is one of the pillars of Matana and our partner Jacarandas' environmental commitment. In Madagascar, where deforestation has profoundly weakened ecosystems, replanting trees is not just a symbolic action – it's a vital necessity .
Planting is repairing . It restores depleted soils, slows erosion, promotes water retention, and protects biodiversity. Trees also create more stable microclimates , which are beneficial for local agriculture.
But beyond the ecological aspect, reforestation is also a collective and meaningful act. It mobilizes communities, empowers producers, and reconnects them with their environment. At Jacarandas, each tree planted is the result of a shared commitment : to build a greener, more resilient, more sustainable future.
👨🌾 Producer portrait: an example of the concrete impact of fair trade in Madagascar
Among the many producers supported by the cooperative, several stories are similar: those of men and women who, thanks to access to selected plants, local technical support and a fair purchase price, have seen their daily lives transformed.
One of them testifies:
“Before, I sold my harvest to collectors who set the price. Since working with the cooperative, I know what to expect. I can plan better, feed my family better, and even help other farmers improve their livelihoods.”
The cooperative's approach is based on a long-term relationship with producers, including regular field monitoring, agroecology training, and support for community structuring. It also encourages sustainable agricultural practices, such as reforestation, soil enhancement, and crop diversification.
The result : producers gain autonomy, skills, and confidence. Some in turn become farmer-trainers, ambassadors of good practices in their villages.
These life stories demonstrate how fair trade in Madagascar can generate lasting impacts, both for individuals and their environment.
👉 To learn more about Jacarandas' sustainable approach: Jacarandas - Social and Environmental Approach
🛒 Buying Matana is much more than a purchase
It is supporting men and women who work with dignity,
It is preserving forests and fertile lands ,
It is investing in a fairer economic model for Madagascar.
Every Matana product carries within it a gesture, a story, a promise . Together, let's grow a business that makes sense.
“When you buy Matana, you support committed producers, sustainable local initiatives… and you embark on a true taste journey through fair trade in Madagascar.” Bako R.
Discover our local products in our online store , available in Canada and the United States, and soon in Europe.
