This text is part of the special edition Solidarité internationale
In a context of food crisis and strong socio-political instability in Haiti, two Haitian organizations are fighting to continue to promote female peasant agriculture adapted to climate change. For more than 20 years, the Trois-Rivières Solidarity Committee (CS3R) has been working to support them in defending human rights, improving living conditions and reducing injustice in the poorest country in the world. ‘northern hemisphere.
In the mountains of northeastern Haiti, the Institute for Research and Technical Support in Environmental Planning (IRATAM) works to develop agroforestry and empower communities. It courageously continues its activities in partnership with the CS3R, in a support project for networks of women members of agricultural cooperatives. “Haiti is deforested at 80% of its territory, and the drought is important, underlines Annie Lafontaine, agent in international cooperation. Ways had to be found to support sustainable agriculture. » Training, technical and financial support as well as mobilization activities are implemented.
For example, hydraulic treadle pumps requiring less water are installed on farms. The “house gardens” approach is also favoured. These plots where family residences are erected are more often controlled by women, due to their proximity, and have many advantages. They allow agriculture on several layers including ginger, saffron, taro, Jerusalem artichokes, bananas and other yams. “The idea of the project was also to reintroduce the production of coffee, including the so-called cover tree to preserve the territory,” adds Annie Lafontaine.
In this same perspective, the organization Kay Fanm works hand in hand with IRATAM and CS3R. She fights for social justice, women’s rights and the economic empowerment of women farmers in the Nippes region, which was badly affected by the 2021 earthquake. By learning how to generate and control sufficient resources in a sustainable way, participants try to improve their production and income. Education sessions on violence against women and ways to report it are held whenever possible.
“Women have always been present in agriculture, but have rarely received the necessary support,” maintains Annie Lafontaine. Organizations are working to facilitate their work and to make them real heads of operations, whereas they have long been considered as occasional helpers. A mandate made more complex by the political instability and violence raging in the country.
An unprecedented crisis
The political opposition is currently insisting on the unconditional departure of the unpopular Prime Minister Ariel Henry, a situation with serious consequences. ” We see […] to a resurgence of insecurity with kidnappings, assassinations, rapes, testifies Elitien Saint-Preux, coordinator of the programs of IRATAM on the ground. The climate of insecurity has caused fear and a slowdown in activities. He is also worried about the food crisis affecting the population, with the increase in the rate of inflation and the depreciation of the national currency.
The recurrent shortage of fuel, insecurity on the roads, major crop losses, the slowdown in economic activities and general misery, to name but a few causes, have caused significant delays in the projects of local bodies. “We have to revise our strategic plan and our schedules in order to keep in touch with the grassroots group that we support and the staff,” says Saint-Preux.
For the CS3R, it is therefore essential to continue to support its partners to provide for all basic needs, but also to pursue a long process of transformation towards a society that is more respectful of human rights and the environment.
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