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Developing the agricultural sector for peace in Haiti
December 16, 2024Fragile contexts and prolonged crises, often marked by unstable institutions and governance difficulties, face numerous challenges, including weakened public services, insecurity, a struggling economy, limited citizen participation, and vulnerability to climate change and violent conflict. The geopolitical landscape and colonial history also contribute to the complexity of these situations.
To address these challenges, CECI prioritizes restoring stability through sustainable changes in governance, protecting women and girls from violence, promoting local development, and empowering communities economically. At the core of our work is supporting community organizations and institutions, while elevating the roles of women and young people in citizen engagement.
CECI and its partners have been working with the Climate Adaptation and Economic Development of Haiti’s Agricultural Sector (AVETI) project for four years to improve the economic wellbeing of rural populations, particularly women and young people, in the department of Grand’Anse in order to reduce their vulnerability and encourage a more inclusive local governance.
Find this article in CECI's 2023-2024 annual report
AVETI project
Date
2019 - 2025
Financial contribution
12 999 992$ CAD, Global Affairs Canada
Consortium partners
The Canadian Cooperation Society for International Development (SOCODEVI) and the Union des producteurs agricoles Développement international (UPA DI), members of the Alliance agricole internationale and Desjardins International Development (DID)
Local partners
The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development; the main cacao cooperatives in the department; the Organisation pour le développement de la filière cacao de la Grand’Anse; and a number of women’s organizations, including women farmers’ groups
Better adapted climate-smart crops
The AVETI project sustainably develops cacao and yam crops, two important agricultural sectors in the county, in order to ensure the means of subsistence for the rural populations and increase their financial autonomy.
With the project’s support, particularly through the skills learned from the project’s farmer field schools, agricultural practices are changing and adapting to climate change.
Plots have been rehabilitated and new trees have been planted, which has increased yields significantly every year. The financial growth driven by these changes has fostered prosperity for the populations and contributed to lasting stability in the communities.
Over 3,600 farmers have adapted their practices to climate change
Stronger community organizations
Thanks to the project’s support, the production volumes and revenues of partner organizations have increased (for some, even doubling), reinforcing their own economic stability and the economic stability of their members.
The AVETI project is also strengthening the commercialization capabilities of the partner cooperatives, which are working more collaboratively to distribute their products.
Better paid, producers in the region now have access to financial services to develop their farms. With improved financial knowledge, farmers now manage their resources more effectively and make smarter investments in their farms.
2,055 producers (of which 56% are women and 25% are young people) and 21 community ventures benefitted from financial services this year
48 new village savings and credit associations set up
Greater citizen participation for a shared governance
Through the project’s activities, particularly its awareness campaigns and training, the contribution of women and young people in the work, family, and community spheres have been enhanced, giving them a greater place in decision-making processes.
The essential role of women in the agricultural sector in ensuring rural communities’ food security, fulfillment, and wellbeing is more
recognized and valued.
83% of women are more involved in decisions over the use of the resources available in their household
45% of men have adapted or increased their household tasks to enable their partners to do other activities
By expanding agricultural production, by making it more resilient to climate change, and by increasing the participation of women and young people in local economic governance, AVETI is improving the population’s food security, financial autonomy, and wellbeing, contributing to the country’s stability.
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