Tree Currency story continued...

Andre’s family and friends have been given an opportunity that few in his country have had. He will be part of a new agroforestry initiative called the “Tree Currency Program”.  With the help of an agronomist, he will learn how to grow and plant trees.  He’ll also learn how to increase farm produce in soil that has become depleted over the years.   It will be a source of food and money for his family. Follow his story over the next five years as his dream becomes a reality.

Why Agroforestry Drives Us

Haiti is the most deforested country in the Western Hemisphere. There is no
regular source of energy. Haitian farmers must cut down trees to cook their food and make charcoal, a cash crop.

Farming methods in the mountain villages have not changed in generations, leading to poor soil, water runoff and reduced crop yields. Crop yields in Haiti are about 30% of the US.

Many reforestation programs pay farmers to plant trees. As, life goes back to normal,  the trees grow, they are once again cut for charcoal, nothing changes.

About ten years ago, the Small Holders Farmers Alliance (SFA) developed a unique program that teaches farmers how to manage and plant the trees. In return, farmers receive education, seeds and farming tools.This improves their crop yields. This program is currently being used successfully in about ten northern Haiti communities.

Accomplishments

In late 2022, a group of SFA Agronomists visited several communities surrounding Cotes-de-Fer to assess the suitability and interest in the Tree Currency  Program in those areas. The suitability of the land was encouraging and the farmer interest high. There was ample space to plant trees. The program required a farmer to donate his land for a nursery, so there had to be commitment.

The mountain community of Morne Blanc was chosen for the project. The program was designed to keep the family unit together so one adult does not have to leave to find work. About 400 farmer families are expected to participate.

Funding has been obtained and the project began July 2023.

         UPDATE – November 2024
In spite of the political turmoil in the country, the Tree Currency Program
continues to run smoothly without interruption. The second semester of
the program began in January 2024. The six-month report, from which the
following data was taken, was received in June 2024.
The program was so popular with the farmers of the neighboring
community of Mayette that the Smallholder Farmers Alliance agreed to
start a second nursery to accommodate the farmers who had been walking
several hours to participate in the program.
Over the first semester (July-December 2023) there has been an increase in
the number of farmers participating, the number of tree seedlings grown,
the number of trees planted, and the number of forest gardens planted.
The farmers continue to receive hand tools. Boots were added to the
distribution to facilitate planting. No seeds were distributed in the first
semester because it was not the best time of year for planting. In the
second semester 616 pounds of seeds were distributed among 280
farmers. Instruction in farming techniques continued. Goats for the pass-
along program continued. To date, 70 farmers have received goats. When
the first two offspring are passed to other families, the farmer has
ownership of the goat.

 

FPTC3

Future Plans

It will take five years for the program to be fully implemented. After that, the program will be fully self-sustaining and the lives of the farmers greatly improved.  A full-time Agronomist was assigned to the project and will live on site during the program to provide assistance and education. The farmers who wish to participate are being registered.  Materials and resources are being distributed.

Special types of trees will be planted that can be pruned rather than being cut down to make charcoal.  Currently, charcoal is their only cash crop.

By the end of 2024, the farmers will have planted at least 15,000 trees. That number will only grow. A seed bank will also be established as part of the program to assure a steady supply of seeds for the future.

Will You Join Our Mission?

And share your love and compassion for those struggling to survive?
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