The agricultural development initiative in Haiti began with a focus on rebuilding efforts following the 2010 earthquake. Initial assessments identified significant challenges, including widespread poverty, limited access to electricity, and a high reliance on imports for food. Approximately 80% of the population lived below the official poverty line, and 1 in 4 children was chronically undernourished. The agricultural sector, which employed 66% of the workforce, struggled to meet local food demands, with 23% of all imports into Haiti consisting of food.
A key strategy for addressing these challenges involved leveraging science and technology to enhance agricultural productivity and build scientific research capacity in Haiti. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) collaborated with the National Science Foundation (NSF) to promote cutting-edge research and education in the developing world. This partnership led to the establishment of a competitive grants program, Partners in Science for Development, which aimed to support scientists in the developing world.
Implementation of the agricultural development initiative focused on increasing the capacity of the Government of Haiti to lead rebuilding efforts. USAID provided support to both the Haitian Government and the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC) to facilitate a Haitian-led and coordinated rebuilding process. The initiative also emphasized the importance of tracking progress by indicators that measure concrete outcomes, rather than inputs. Key sectors for investment included increasing agricultural productivity, improving infrastructure, and supporting sustainable healthcare and basic services.
The initiative’s geographic focus was on Haiti, which was one of 20 focus countries in President Obama’s Feed the Future initiative. The program aimed to strengthen food and economic security through strategic investments in agriculture, infrastructure, and basic services. By leveraging science and technology, USAID sought to address big problems in Haitian agriculture and natural resource management, ultimately contributing to the country’s long-term development and recovery.