The agricultural development initiative in Feed the Future West/WINNER began in October 2012 and concluded in September 2013. The program aimed to increase agricultural productivity, improve watershed stability, and strengthen agricultural markets in Haiti. The initiative was funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Chemonics International Inc. under the WINNER contract.
The program focused on several key areas, including agricultural productivity, watershed stability, and market development. In the area of agricultural productivity, the program implemented various interventions, such as market-driven access to inputs, agricultural campaigns, farmer training, and sustainable rural development centers. These interventions aimed to improve crop yields and increase farmers’ incomes.
One of the key achievements of the program was the increase in agricultural productivity. According to the program’s data, yields for key crops such as beans, corn, and rice increased significantly in areas supported by the program. For example, bean yields increased by 27% in areas supported by the program, while corn yields increased by 15%. These increases in yields resulted in higher incomes for farmers, with some farmers reporting increases in income of up to 50%.
The program also made significant progress in improving watershed stability. The program implemented soil conservation and ravine treatment activities, as well as sustainable hillside agriculture practices. These activities aimed to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality in the watershed. According to the program’s data, soil conservation activities resulted in a 25% reduction in soil erosion in areas supported by the program.
In addition to improving agricultural productivity and watershed stability, the program also focused on strengthening agricultural markets. The program implemented various market development activities, such as road rehabilitation, market information, and public-private partnerships. These activities aimed to improve access to markets for farmers and increase their incomes. According to the program’s data, the number of farmers participating in commercialization activities increased by 30% in areas supported by the program.
The program also made significant progress in capacity building and training. The program trained over 2,500 farmers in sustainable agriculture practices, and established 15 sustainable rural development centers. These centers provided training and technical assistance to farmers, and helped to improve their knowledge and skills in areas such as crop management and marketing.
Overall, the Feed the Future West/WINNER program made significant progress in improving agricultural productivity, watershed stability, and market development in Haiti. The program’s achievements demonstrate the potential for agricultural development initiatives to improve the lives of farmers and their families, and contribute to the economic development of rural communities.