The damage caused by the passage of Hurricane Matthew on agriculture, are significant and almost everything that is the basis of the livelihoods of the people has been severely affected.

The sale of crops and small livestock, which accounts for one third of the income sources of the poorest households, is now negligible and is unlikely to change until the spring harvest in July 2017.

Self-employment, consisting in particular of petty trade, which accounts for about a quarter of the sources of income, will be limited by the reduction of household incomes in the affected areas. Demand for agricultural labor is usually a source of income for the very poor and the poor. However, given that the average households and the haves who employ them on their farm are not, for the most, in a position to relaunch their agricultural activities, part of their resources being devoted to repairing houses damaged by Matthew.

It is clear that the poorest households face considerable food deficits. Solidarity and humanitarian assistance will help to mitigate them. A situation that could continue until May, when it will be possible to harvest bananas and tubers in Grand'Anse and beans, vegetables and tubers in a part of the South Department.

Due to the loss of their assets, small farmers will probably not be able to acquire agricultural inputs on their own without external assistance.

Moreover, due to shocks, harvests of beans, maize, sorghum and Congo peas expected in February are being compromised in the affected areas. Households will continue to live in very precarious conditions and deprived of adequate income for economic access to markets. Fortunately, for the most, they have physical access to food due to the massive distribution of food aid that distorts markets, also due to declining demand and the purchasing power of households.

Once recovered, regular agricultural activities in the first half of 2017 will help offset the losses. On the other hand, for non-affected areas that benefit from favorable climatic and support conditions, local food availability may improve. As a result, local product prices, particularly those monitored in the food security analysis, will stabilize or decline as a result of good harvests.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19558-haiti-agriculture-food-insecurity-in-2017-growing-concern.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19498-haiti-economy-limited-products-and-sharp-increase-in-market-prices.html

HL/ HaitiLibre