The Zakat Foundation of America

Jun 09, 2010

Haiti Farm

It may be hard to believe, but just a few decades ago Haiti was feeding itself. There still lies in the country the ability to feed itself or at least to supply the basic food staples which Haitians consume regularly and which are often imported from the Dominican Republic or the US such as rice or chicken.

Other vulnerable indigenous crops, such as mango trees, which are cut down to make charcoal for cooking, can be saved or at least replanted by those who have the ability.

But foreign competition long ago made growing food difficult for Haitian farmers; frustrated with dwindling prospects of getting fair prices in the market for their crops while also dealing with issues such as adequate water and soil erosion many people deserted the land and left for over-crowded Port au Prince or America. The farm cooperative that Zakat Foundation supported with the purchase of a tractor and the dropping of a well is attempting to bring back to life the fields that once produced enough food to feed its community.

Zakat Foundation’s donations to the farm cooperative came just in time for the crucially important spring planting season. Although the cooperative owned an older tractor, a second one was needed in order to adequately plant on the land during the short window of time available during planting season. The farm was also anxious to improve its long term access to water. Although Haiti has a well known rainy season, if the rains are late or even after the rains have passed, farmers can be left with dry fields and failed crops.

Since 2008 Zakat Foundation has been supporting the feeding of poor and needy people in Port au Prince. Of course this program had to be expanded in the wake of the traumatic earthquake of January 12, 2010. But as difficult as it may be for international governments, aid organizations, and even local Haitian NGO’s to acknowledge – keeping Haitians dependent on subsidized or donated imported food while it may stave off immediate hunger, is not in the long run, to the benefit of Haitian farmers or consumers. Serious efforts must be made to increase the local production of food which could also help ease the pressure off of Port au Prince because once there are more viable reasons to return to the land, people will return.

Just a day after receiving the tractor from Zakat Foundation, the farmers at the Cooperative commenced the planting process which began with the burning of the fields. The farm is planting this year for both the long and short time, amongst the crops being set in the soil: bananas, plantains and mango trees. It is because of the generous donations of Zakat Foundation donors and their concern with improving Haitians’ access to quality food that the farmers of the cooperative began this spring planting season with renewed hope.