The agricultural development initiative in Haiti, led by the WINNER project, aimed to improve the livelihoods of people living in targeted watersheds through sustainable natural resource management. The project focused on five key result areas: improved agricultural productivity, critical infrastructure, watershed governance, public-private partnerships, and earthquake recovery.
Implementation of the project’s approach involved establishing Development Centers (CRDDs) in all WINNER regions. A total of 8 CRDDs were set up, with each center serving as a training and demonstration site for farmers. The CRDDs were organized to become increasingly self-sustaining, with committees managed by local committees and producer groups.
The project implemented a significant agricultural production program, which included a technical package including extension services and access to inputs. The results showed a remarkable 75% increase in yields, with peaks of 118% for maize and 139% for sorghum. However, the project acknowledged that there is room for improvement, including better training for extension agents and expanding the utilization of tractors for land preparation.
The project also implemented an agro-forestry program to promote fruit tree planting, which aimed to reduce erosion and improve conservation. By the end of September 2010, about 1 million trees had been transplanted, with a goal of 1.8 million trees by the end of 2010. However, the project fell short of its goal of 4.2 million trees.
The project’s long-term vision is to have people living within targeted watersheds with improved livelihoods, reduced vulnerability to flooding, and invested in economic growth and protection. The project’s approach is centered on farmers, who must become the driving force behind the revitalization of Haitian watersheds.
The project’s five principles include speed and focus, concentrating efforts where they can maximize impact, providing farmers with resources and training to give them a chance to improve their lives, working in partnership with the government to advance its approaches, and setting up structures that will continue to operate after the project ends.
The project’s results framework includes five key result areas, with indicators such as improved livelihoods, critical infrastructure, watershed governance, public-private partnerships, and earthquake recovery. The project’s progress is monitored through regular evaluations and assessments.
The project’s implementation is centered on five key interventions: farmer training programs, infrastructure development, market linkage facilitation, public-private partnerships, and earthquake recovery. The project’s approach is focused on reversing the course of economic and environmental decline in targeted watersheds.
The project’s achievements include the establishment of CRDDs, the implementation of the agricultural production program, and the promotion of agro-forestry activities. However, the project acknowledged that there is room for improvement, including better training for extension agents and expanding the utilization of tractors for land preparation