Traditionally, artisanal fishing and intermittent tourism have been the mainstay for El Valle residents, providing a modest living. View image in fullscreen Vanilla pods lying out to dry in a specialised chamber at the Río Valle community council, which represents the town’s vanilla farmers. Local farmers ventured into the unfamiliar realm of vanilla cultivation with support from Swissaid Colombia. Photograph: Charlie Cordero/The GuardianFor the vanilla farmers of Chocó, the fragrant crop is more than just a spice – it is a lifeline. “The day someone pours this vanilla into what they’re eating, they will know it came from the hands of the vanilla farmers of El Valle,” Murillo González says.

Source: The Guardian January 15, 2025 15:32 UTC