Introduction: The survival of 70 per cent of Haiti's population depends directly or indirectly on agriculture.
These small farmers typically farm less than two hectares, using basic tools and without
irrigation.
Their main food crops are maize, rice, sorghum and millet.
Women are extremely
important in Haiti's agricultural workforce and, while it is common for men to work the land,
particularly taking care of heavy tasks such as preparing the land for planting, it is mainly
women in rural areas who take care of selling agricultural products in the marketplace.
As in many developing countries, there is a significant degree of inequality in agriculture.
While fewer large landowners dominate the rural landscape than elsewhere in the region,
Haiti's export and production facilities are controlled by a small number of wealthy, powerful
Haitian families.
Sugar processing, for example, used to be dominated by many of the richest
families.
After liberalisation, however, many of these families found production to be less
profitable and quickly switched to importing sugar instead.
Agricultural exports are in decline: key cash crops brought in 35 per cent less revenue in 2000
than in 1995.
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With the share of industry in GDP also declining, the decline in agricultural
exports is not down to a positive growth in manufacturing.
Unfortunately it is the services
sector which is growing, implying that migrants who arrive in urban areas without capital,
training or appropriate experience are forced to find work in the already overcrowded informal
economy meaning for example, more and more shoe shiners competing for an already
limited amount of custom.
Haiti is a net food importer.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
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the
top eight imported agricultural commodities in 2003, in terms of value, were:
rice,wheat,palm,oil,sugar,chicken, meat, oil of soya, beans, evaporated whole milk, dry, beans.
For all of these products the amount imported has increased dramatically since 1986
Posted by Lionne on 4/24/08 6:34 PM
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