national-production

Here is an example of Subsidized U.S. food invading the Haitian market, peanuts as humanitarian aid to Haiti. April, 2016 - US plan to ship 500 metric tons of surplus American peanuts to help feed more than 140,000 malnourished schoolchildren in Haiti.

A recent announcement by the U.S administration to ship 500 metric tons of surplus peanuts to feed 140,000 malnourished Haitian schoolchildren has set off a fierce debate. People are divided in opinion whether such food aid is a humanitarian necessity or a counterproductive gesture. As per U.S Government statement, it is a humanitarian necessity, because, (a) about 30% of Haitian youngsters suffer from chronic malnutrition; (b) following a three-year drought, Haiti is facing unprecedented food insecurity; (c) the donation will not have any noticeable impact as it represents only 1.4% of Haiti's average annual peanut production. It will not make any difference to the economy, but would improve the diets of the most vulnerable children attending schools. In spite of a complicated relationship with the foreign donors, the U.S. has long been the largest donor of foreign aid that Haiti is dependent on. Peanut contribution is a minuscule addition to the billion dollar U.S assistance. However, as per Haitian economist and activist Camille Chalmers, it is a U.S attempt of drawing down stockpile and benefiting American agribusiness.

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Haiti ranks among the top ten world producers of mango fruits and it is one of the main fruits grown in the country.
The Haitian mango francisque is one of the most popular varieties in the international markets and the only mango exported due to its compliance with USDA/APHIS certification requirements. Francisque Mango accounts for about 15% of the total mango production and many Haitian farmers grow this type of mango in the Central Plateau.

Francisque Mango is the main product variety marketed outside of the country. It receive world wide recognition and love. They are plump, juicy mangoes with lots of fruit on them. Once they are ripe, Francisque Mangos are soft with an orange or gold freckled skin. The have a rich, fresh, smooth, and distinct tropical flavor.

Francisque Mango is unique to Haiti. The Dominican Republic tried to implant these trees home, hoping to take advantage of its international reputation, it did not work for them. They have not been able to produce the variety that seems to exist only in Haiti due to difference in the regional climatic conditions.

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This is a farming method that was popular during the slavery period in Saint Domingue, now known as Haiti. What is exactly the Haitian Kombit? It was the perfected method of working the land during slavery, It is called a rotating cooperative approach to planting and harvesting. This method is still being used in many regions in Haiti today

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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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Haiti is the leading producer of Vetiver in the world. It is reputable for its high quality vetiver oil that distinguishes itself as light, golden amber, and its fragrance is sweet, smooth and earthy.

Growers in Haiti in the towns of Massey, Faucault, and Bazelais produce a specialty crop, Vetiver. It is an essential oil used by French perfumer, Givaudau.

Givaudau and the growers formed a cooperative, Givaudau/Agri-Supply, so the delivery system for Vetiver could be modernized from the fields to the distillery. This meant repairing the road along which Vetiver is transported to the distillery. Benefits accruing to the growers are access to necessary services in the area.

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In 1979, fearing an attack of the African Swine Fever, the Haitian Government was convinced by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to eradicate their entire stock of Creole pigs. In a move that many say showed the Government's woeful disconnect from matters affecting the peasantry in Haiti, the pigs, which had taken on the role of investments for the poor, were eradicated and replaced by an American stock that never did acclimate to Haitian living.

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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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He is the man who build the bus and call it "Haitian Pride", symbolic, Jean Paul Coutard.

In May 2006, when President René Préval was taking oath of his presidency, Coutard felt determined to make his dream come true. He took this as a challenge. His first step in achieving his dream was to win a scholarship from Canada to learn coach design. While studying in Canada, he took a part time job. He used his earnings to import various body parts from the UK, Australia and Canada. He waited a long time to find the right time to launch his dream. Following the 2010 earthquake, he returned home and began production with his family firm, 'Coutard Motors'. On 22 August 2013, his dream came true. The first prototype bus made in Haiti was presented at the Metropolitan Industrial Park SONAPI in the presence of several ministers and members of the Government.

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Here is the pig that was introduced to Haiti following the destruction of Haitian Creole Pig.as a result of a swine flu outbreak in the Dominican Republic. Unlike the Creole Pig, this one was not adaptable to Haiti environment.

This attempt to replace them with American pigs from Iowa farmers proved to be a total failure. As the new breeds could not adapt to the inevitably harsher methods of farming,

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Here is a picture of land prepared for the plantation of rice in Haiti. Today, rice has become a daily item for many Haitians. Due to the lack of local production, imported rice has invaded the local market

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