Feed the Future Haïti Chanje Lavi Plantè (Improving Farmers’ Lives) builds on previous activities in Haiti’s fertile plains in order to increase productivity and to maximize available resources in the region. The project promotes agricultural intensification, sound natural resource management and a modern, post-harvest marketing system to ensure that products make it to market. Farmer organizations are a critical component to strengthening Haiti’s agriculture sector and are natural partners for Feed the Future Haiti. The project aims to strengthen farmer organizations’ operations, focusing on implementing modern, environmentally-friendly business practices through a value-chain focused approach.

Background

Agricultural productivity in Haiti has systematically declined in the last three decades.  A shift to annual cropping on steep slopes has caused erosion and exacerbated flooding that affects the slopes, as well as productive plains areas.  The magnitude of flooding has increased, water supplies have become much more erratic, and both lives and livelihoods are under threat.  At the same time, ground water levels in the plains have dropped substantially due to growing urban demand, and water has become increasingly brackish as seawater replaces what used to be fresh water.

To address these challenges, Feed the Future Haiti operated in this region from 2009 through 2014, focused on improved production capacities, resource management and modernizing farming techniques. Chanje Lavi Plantè builds on the success of these activities.

Activities and Anticipated Results

Chanje Lavi Plante demonstrates a dynamic and collaborative approach to addressing important challenges such as good nutrition, land security and agricultural credit. Focusing on corn, rice, bean, plantain, vegetable, and mango value chains, Feed the Future Haiti will create strong and mutually beneficial relationships between agribusinesses, farmer organizations and governmental institutions to stimulate private investments and foster appealing business opportunities. Leveraging these partnerships, Feed the Future Haiti has four broad objectives: increase agricultural production; stabilize the watershed; strengthen agricultural markets; and, improve critical capabilities among farmers. It will increase incomes at least 60,000 households in the Cul-de-Sac and Matheux corridors, as well as improve mango production areas in the lower Central Plateau.