As part of its efforts to revive agricultural production and combat food insecurity, the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR) is providing vegetable seeds to producers in several communes within the Southe Department : Port-à-Piment, Chardonnières, Chantal, Saint-Jean-du-Sud, Saint-Louis-du-Sud, Maniche, Cavaillon, Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, Port-Salut, Torbeck, and Ducis.

This distribution carried out under the emergency component of the Resilient Agriculture for Food Security Project (PARSA), funded by the World Bank—aims to support more than 2,000 farmers in developing their operations, diversifying their vegetable crops, and increasing local production.

According to information provided by agronomist Thed St-Juste, the Assistant for Crop Production for PARSA in the Southern Department, producers will receive seeds for bell peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, lettuce, parsley, melons, leeks, and papayas—crops that will once again be cultivated on the farmers' plots.

In total, more than 2,000 farmers will receive these seed kits. St-Juste notes that these inputs will enable farmers to establish "home gardens" a practice that encourages the cultivation of vegetables and other crops close to one's residence. In a context where access to a diverse diet remains a challenge for many households, growing food near one's home offers a way to reconnect with the land and better meet daily nutritional needs. This initiative aims to increase household food self-sufficiency while strengthening food security within the beneficiary communities.

The distribution of vegetable seed kits is being carried out in close collaboration with the Municipal Agricultural Offices (BAC). Their involvement in the process of identifying and selecting beneficiaries ensures that local agricultural realities are effectively taken into account.

In each targeted municipality, 100 farmers will be selected to receive these vegetable seed kits. In municipalities with a strong agricultural focus and existing irrigation systems, this number will be increased to 200 beneficiaries as part of this support provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. Furthermore, agronomist St-Juste notes that this support entails providing each beneficiary with seeds for three different types of crops.

Faced the food insecurity, which leaves thousands of Haitian households vulnerable, home gardens offer a localized solution to the challenges of accessing fruits and vegetables. By utilizing cultivable land near their homes, households can produce some of their own food; depending on the harvest, they may also have a surplus to sell in local markets. This helps to diversify their diets and reduce certain food-related expenses.

It is worth noting that in rural communities, vegetable production serves as a significant source of income for many households. Beyond supporting the local economy, it contributes to supplying communities with fresh produce and diversifying diets. In this regard, the development of these crops is crucial for strengthening farmers' livelihoods and supporting economic activity in rural areas. Through this distribution, the Ministry’s objective is to strengthen household food self-sufficiency, increase farmers' incomes, and improve the supply of fresh produce to local markets.

HL/ HaitiLibre