Interdependence in action: The example of Arcadie in Madagascar
Written by Laurene Vernay
Living systems rely on one another…
From the infinitely small to the infinitely large, everything is connected, interwoven, interdependent. Nothing exists in isolation; all is part of a continuum of living systems that depend on each other.
In the ocean, phytoplankton draws trace elements such as nitrates and phosphates from its environment to feed itself. It absorbs carbon dioxide and, with the help of sunlight, creates its own organic matter.
This microorganism is the foundation of an entire chain… Zooplankton feeds on phytoplankton. Small fish depend on plankton. Larger fish feed on smaller ones. The excrement of the largest species — whales — breaks down into trace elements that nourish the tiniest organisms, including phytoplankton.
In the world of business, every company is interconnected and dependent on a wide network of stakeholders: customers, suppliers, partners, employees… and also on living systems for materials, water, and the air we all breathe. Acknowledging this interdependence is a key step in understanding how to reduce negative impacts and work towards creating a positive one.
Since 2019, Arcadie has been supporting Malagasy producers in transforming their farming practices.
In Madagascar, turmeric and ginger are traditionally cultivated using slash-and-burn farming, a practice that destroys wildlife and depletes soil, rendering land infertile after just a few years.
Producers are then forced to encroach upon primary forests in search of new land, threatening both their livelihoods and the region’s biodiversity.
Arcadie sought to secure farmland and support Malagasy families who rely on it. By helping farmers shift towards more sustainable spice cultivation methods, Arcadie safeguards the production it depends on (spices and essential oils), while also contributing to the preservation of local land and forests.
Arcadie is committed to long-term, ethical human support and proves that it is both possible and viable to earn a dignified living by farming the land responsibly:
The company purchases land and makes it available to around 200 Malagasy families. Each family is allocated two hectares: one for cash crops, and one for subsistence farming.
It agrees to buy their harvest every year, on the condition that sustainable practices are followed (crop rotation, agroforestry, etc.).
It trains young people in agriculture, passing on valuable knowledge through generations…
By adopting sustainable methods, farmers preserve the natural resources and ecosystems their livelihoods depend on, while improving yields and ensuring long-term economic prosperity.
This success story illustrates the interdependence between ecosystem regeneration, social renewal, and the cooperative, sustainable development of a local economy.
By training the younger generation, Arcadie strengthens the longevity of these practices, creating a virtuous cycle where each generation contributes to ecosystem resilience and local economic development.
So, how can I actively explore and understand interdependence within my business and its environment?
The first step is to shift your perspective and ask yourself the following questions to better grasp this dynamic:
Does my company acknowledge and embrace its interdependent relationships with stakeholders?
What does it do to support their growth?
Does it consider the free services provided by living ecosystems as part of its dependencies?
Do I recognise and accept that I rely on certain suppliers, clients, or external expertise?
Have I identified the resources my business truly depends on, and what that dependency implies? (For example, if I work in the metal industry making machinery, I rely not just on metal supplies, but also heavily on water for cooling machines, and on oil or gas for the electricity powering my factories…)
What mechanisms are in place to ensure that all employees are aware of these interdependencies?
Do I know my service providers well enough to ensure they respect the ecosystems that provide me with free services? (Do they manage their plantations, forests, mines, employees, energy consumption, and pollutants responsibly?) What are their needs, concerns, or virtuous projects they struggle to implement?
How can I give back to the ecosystems from which I benefit? (For example, replanting trees where I cut them, allowing ecosystems to regenerate by adopting responsible fishing or farming practices, or investing in NGOs that protect the resources I may be degrading…)
