Progress Can Still Happen Amid Turmoil and Chaos
By diversifying their livelihoods, 222 families in the program were able to meet their basic needs during the first quarter of the year. They were able to increase their resilience and food security with regard to climate, security, and economic shocks. This all happened despite severe unrest and instability as gang violence, food insecurity, fuel scarcity, inflation, and internal displacement rock Haiti.
One of the biggest challenges faced by Haitian farmers is soil erosion due to natural and human-made causes. Local partner OPFSLDIBH offered two jam-packed days of training on erosion prevention to 41 people. Participants were chosen for their proven sense of responsibility, ability to attend the training and carry out some of the techniques on their own land, and willingness to pass along instruction to their communities.
The first day covered the various causes and effects of erosion, the importance of reforestation, and different anti-erosion structures. They discussed the pros and cons of planting hedges or strips with plants, “wattle hurdles” whereby sticks or trees (including bamboo) are planted and interconnected, rock walls, and contour canals, which force rainwater into the soil rather than permitting it to run downhill and carry away topsoil. They also learned about protecting soil with mulching materials. The second day saw students practicing the techniques they learned about on the preceding day.
Métès is now using contour canals on his land, following the training. He uses this technique because his land is next to a house that creates a lot of rainwater runoff. Métès grows plantains combined with cereal crops on a half hectare of land and was one of 12 farmers selected to receive additional accompaniment following the training. He said, “We were thirsty for such a program. I hope that the program will continue so that the lives of more families will change, economically and socially.”
Marie, a savings and lending group leader, said, “During these two days, we learned many things that will help us protect the soil better against disasters that hit us from time to time and carry off our soil.” She encouraged participants to share what they’d learned with their group members and neighbors.
Haiti Baie-de-Henne Program
Led by Church World Service (CWS) and Organisation des Planteurs de Fond Saint-Luc pour le Développement Intégré de Baie-de-Henne (OPFSLDIBH)