Thursday, April 21 to Chaubrun on the road to Mirebalais, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) as part of its Feed the Future Haiti program in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR), will proceed to the launch of the mango season and of the project "Chanje Lavi Plantè".

Recall that the Haitian mango francisque is one of the most popular varieties in the international markets and many Haitian farmers grow this type of mango in the Central Plateau. However, the mango industry faces major challenges with regard to exports. Annual losses are estimated at about 35% of Haiti's total production, due to the practices and inadequate post-harvest facilities. There are also weaknesses within the sector at the level of producers and exporters in their ability to deliver mangoes according to strict export international standards.

The project "Chanje Lavi Plantè" will support the actors in several areas of the sector, in order to improve production, increase the export of mangoes francisques, and ultimately increase revenue of nearly 15,000 mango producers and more than 60 farmers associations.

By working closely with cooperatives of Mirebalais (COPACMI) and of Saut d'Eau (COPACSE), "Chanje Lavi Plantè" will support the players in the sector to increase production and export of mango francisque :

• Train farmers to adopt best practices of seedlings planting and maintenance ;

• Continue to work with entrepreneurs producer groups supported by the Haiti HOPE project funded by USAID ;

• Implement a concert traceability system with MARNDR and Agritech to keep a register of producers of Mirebalais and Saut d'Eau ;

• Work with exporters and provide technical assistance to ensure that the regulations of the FMSA are respected ;

• Propose practical solutions in the provision of agricultural credit to players at reasonable rates.

The goal of "Chanje Lavi Plantè" is to increase the income of almost 90,000 families in the agricultural sector, through investments that will promote sustainable development and increase the productivity of the plains in the intervention areas.

The project aims to improve agricultural productivity by more modern techniques, stabilize watersheds and promote processing and marketing systems more efficient of agricultural products. It offers a unique opportunity to introduce new approaches, introduce advanced technology, to work with a greater number of partners and directly face significant challenges such as good nutrition, land tenure and agricultural credit.

HL/ HaitiLibre