Lavial - Haiti
Agroforestry
In Haiti's South-East department, in the Jacmel Valley, Reforest'Action and the Organisation des Jeunes Universitaires de Carrefour pour l'Avancement d'Haïti (OJUCAH) are collaborating with the "Trees That Feed" program to finance several fruit and forest species.
2016 - 2017
Financé
Haiti is one of the most deforested countries in the world. In 1920, 60% of the country was covered by forest, compared with 2% today. The massive loss of forest cover is mainly due to charcoal production, the main source of energy for the population. The dramatic passage of Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 also destroyed a huge proportion of the trees still standing. Located in the Jacmel Valley, the Lavial community has a population of around 36,000. Living conditions over there are precarious: a large proportion of the population lives below the poverty line. The local association OJUCAH is therefore deploying actions to support agriculture, livestock breeding, health and education.
This reforestation project in Haiti combines a wide variety of tree species selected according to the area's soil and climate conditions and the needs of local populations. The first part of the project involves planting forest species, such as bayahonde and oak, within deforested areas, in order to gradually restore the region's forests. The aim of the second part of the project is to provide families with fruit trees such as cashew, mango and soursop trees so they can plant them in agroforestry within their crops. The fruits will be used for personal consumption or for sale on local markets, thus diversifying the communities' sources of income. Local communities are fully involved in field activities, and ongoing training for beneficiary families is organized to introduce them to agroforestry. A team of six nurserymen works to grow seedlings. At the same time, in partnership with the Dutch Red Cross, training courses are organized for members of our partner OJUCAH on project monitoring and evaluation.
The Organisation des Jeunes Universitaires de Carrefour pour l'Avancement d'Haïti (OJUCAH - Carrefour's Young Academics' Organization for the Advancement of Haiti) is an apolitical, non-profit, non-denominational association bringing together children, young and old, regardless of gender, ethnic group, creed or social affiliation. The organization was created in 1998 in the Haitian town of Carrefour, and is now active around the municipality of Lavial, with some 1,200 active members spread across various rural sections. the NGO is recognized as a charitable organization and registered with the Ministry of Social Affairs.
