haitian rice

Something that both the Haitian government and President Bill Clinton come to regret. In 1993, U.S. President Bill Clinton encouraged Haitian President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to drop all protective tariffs and allow US to export rice to Haiti.

This so called aids to Haiti does nothing to boost local food production capacity. In addition for a government to allow this without any long term plan to increase local production is irresponsible at least. This policy created a level of dependency and caused further decline in Haitian agriculture.

Is there any one looking out for the future of Haiti or is it just that everyone in a particular situation is trying to do what is best for themselves. Unfortunately, it's every man for himself.

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Former US President who was one of the architects to provide subsidies to US farmers and presently the Co-chairperson of Haiti's earthquake recovery Commission has now realized that such policy was a 'mistake'--it has not worked in Haiti. There is no doubt that reduced food price was unquestionably a necessity because it allowed people to eat, but at the same time price reductions have also negatively affected rural Haitians. During the 1980's Haiti was self sufficient in rice, but today it imports 60% of its overall food supply and 80% of its rice from US because it is cheaper to import than produce. The farmers during the harvest season are sitting idle in the fertile valleys; dumped foreign rice in the Haitian market has eclipsed Haitian production, farmers are jobless. Huge subsidies received by US farmers have unfairly deflated international prices. As a result poorer nations are finding it difficult to get self-sufficient and develop their economies by expanding markets abroad.

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The best way to make Diri Ak Jon Jon or Rice Mushrooms - Diri Ak Djondjon, Haitian Style: You need to first, slice mushroom caps and place in cold water for 15 minutes to a half hour

Then, you heat oil or butter in a pot and sauté onions, thyme and garlic until tender. Add water from the mushrooms and bring to a boil. At this moment, you add rice, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the rice cook for about 20 minutes or until it becomes flaky.

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What you should do to make Rice Red Beans or Diri Ak Pwa Cole

Get beans and rinse in water. Cover beans with water and soak.
You must cook beans in water until it becomes tender or in approximately 2 hours. Then, fry some salted pork in oil, include onions, green pepper and garlic.

Then you add beans and the reserved cooking water. Once it begins to boil, add rice. Cook for 20 to 25 minutes, or until rice is tender.

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