Meeting with APF Peasant Farmers

Hérold Félix (below left) received his education in agronomy through the University of Fondwa (UNIF) and is now overseeing the APF Agriculture Program.   He gathered many peasant farmers in Fondwa to meet with GreenMicrofinance team to share not only their challenges in farming today, but their ideas and thoughts for a renewed Fondwa.  

The peasants shared during the meeting:

"People can find water, but people use the water for wash and clothes, not for irrigation."

"We can grow coffee, but we need shade and good earth.  First shade trees, then coffee." 

"25 years ago on Fondwa, we had coffee and mangoes, as well as avocado, banana, coconut, yams, and many citrus trees.  We have many ideas for small businesses...dry mango, shade-grown coffee,  dried banana powder for baby food".

"We can get 1 million bamboo shoots in Haiti...it can protect the gully...it can be used for  food (bamboo shoots) and building...utilized for baskets, furniture, drain pipes, gates, ladders, and music instruments.  We need expertise in building with bamboo."

Assessing Fondwa

GreenMicrofinance agricultural team for Haiti includes a Canadian agriculturalist / horticulturalist and a Haitian agronomist/ agricultural engineer, Suzette Cadet, who conducted a field survey and soil map of the region.  

Key Issues 

Hérold Félix spoke to our team on agriculture:

" I know many techniques to share with the peasants, but we need money to work with them.  We know animal care, agribusiness such as yam production, soil conservation, water irrigation, and seed propagation.    We need a center where peasants can find seeds and where we can train groups."

The following photos summarize some of key environmental issues GreenMicrofinance and The Association of Peasant Fondwa are addressing together, through growing partnerships and collaboration.     

Deforestation

Soil Erosion

Improper Terracing on Hillsides

Poor Soil Health

Poor Land Management 

Lack Small Scale Irrigation Systems

Poor Road Connectivity for Market Linkages

HOLD THAT VISION!