Tuesday in Camp Perrin, the European Union (EU), the Ministry of Agriculture (MARDNR), the Embassy of France in Haiti, the French Development Agency (AFD), the Office of the National Authorising Officer of EDF, and the Departmental Agricultural South (DDSA) in the presence of camperrinoise population, was inaugurated of irrigation infrastructure, which will help improve the socio-economic situation of farmers. The rehabilitation of these channels in Avezac (South), will allow to increase the cultivated area of about 2,000 hectares for the benefit of the farming community.

The improvement of the irrigation infrastructure is part of the project of Support to agricultural production and food security of South (SECAL). It is a component of the Food Safety Enhancement Program in Haiti (PASAH), an integral part of MDG initiaitive, funded by the EU and the AFD to the tune of 12 million euros.

In his intervention Fresner Dorcin, the Minister of Agriculture declared "[...] Agricultural intensification in irrigated plains according to a watershed approach to ensure a better control of the water will be the cornerstone of the Ministry's development strategy. The rehabilitation and construction of new irrigation systems and new watering techniques will increase the potential of irrigated land in the country to 140,000 ha, against less than 80,000 ha at present."

Massimo Scalorbi, the Head of EU cooperation stressed "[...] These irrigation channels are the result of our cooperation with the Haitian government to better promote the agricultural sector whose potential is under-exploited and is essential to overcome hunger and move towards food self-sufficiency."

Ambassador of the France, Elisabeth Beton-Delègue, recalled "In Haiti, France orients of long date its support to the development of agriculture through support to producers through the rehabilitation of the country's irrigation infrastructure. In 1985, France, through the AFD is committed alongside the Haitian government to provide funding for the rehabilitation of irrigation of the plains of Arcahaie.

The work, launched in February 2014, have now been completed and it is a great pride for all. The renovation of the channel allows greater availability of water, a key issue in adaptation to climate change. We must make every effort so that these works can be protected and maintained," adding "We want to congratulate the Ministry of Agriculture, especially the DDAS who led this process, and all partners: local authorities, companies, operators and co-funders of the project."

HL/ HaitiLibre