A study by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture, focuses on reintegration through agroecology that can create income-generating opportunities in affected areas not only for deportees but also for displaced people. The latest IOM figures indicate that 702,973 people fleeing violence have been internally displaced in Haiti

The report provides an overview of environmental degradation; climate change and migration; it highlights Haiti’s vulnerabilities to climate change and presents a summary of the recent history of migration dynamics; The study analyzes the extent to which the transition to agro-ecology can help target populations to sustainably improve their socio-economic conditions and considers the potential of the transition to agroecology and analyzes the strengths and weaknesses, both at the national and local levels.

Five areas were selected for further analysis : Cap-Haitien, Cornillon/Grand-Bois, Gonaives, Port-de-Paix and the metropolitan area of ​​Port-au-Prince. For each area, an analysis of local conditions for agroecology was carried out, including challenges and opportunities, based on scientific data and numerous interviews with local authorities, farmers and returning migrants.

The study demonstrates how the transition to agroecology can first support local capacities to adapt to climate change and prevent deforestation. In addition, the study analyzes how these solutions can also facilitate the sustainable reintegration of deported migrants.

Finally, the study makes concrete recommendations for each area to promote the transition to agroecology. These are interventions designed according to local circumstances and opportunities.

Recommendations for a transition to agroecology :

Cap-Haitien :

• Valorization of the marshy areas surrounding the city of Cap-Haitien

• Development of agroforestry, for example undercover crops such as coffee, yam, ginger and...;

• Creation of small livestock in enclosures, in particular rabbits and laying hens;

• Establishment and development of small greenhouses for the practice of market gardening;

• Valorization of waste through a sorting and composting collection mechanism.

Cornillon / Grand-Bois :

• Development of lakou gardens;

• Development of agroforestry;

• Controlled breeding of large livestock to prevent overgrazing and improve soil fertility;

• Creation of small livestock, for example of rabbits and laying poultry.

Gonaives:

• Improvement of irrigation systems in irrigable plains;

• Choice of agroecological practices that reduce production costs and improve soil fertility, such as mulching and growing legumes;

• Introduction and choice of high value-added crops such as market gardening;

• Use of soil protection and conservation practices in steep areas;

• Promotion and popularization of agroforestry in mountain systems, especially fruit growing.

Port-de-Paix :

• Agroforestry that allows the generation of income, for example crops such as coffee, cocoa, yam and ginger etc...;

• Intensification of agro-sylvo-pastoral and/or sylvo-pastoral systems;

• The promotion and practice of lakou gardens at the level of dwellings, in combination with techniques of capture, storage and conservation of water and techniques of optimization of organic matter;

• Small livestock in enclosures, in particular goats, rabbits and laying hens;

• Establishment of small irrigated agricultural farms from the use of wind systems.

Port-au-Prince metropolitan area:

• Small diversified farms;

• Setting up and promoting small greenhouses: development of market gardening;

• Development of hydroponic and aquaponic agriculture;

• Vertical gardens and green walls;

• Raised bed cultivation;

• Development of small livestock farming, for example rabbits and laying poultry;

• Production of fruits such as : papaya, melon, grenadia, grenadine, cherry.

Download the full study (PDF in French 124 pages) : https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/RAPPORT-REINTEGRATION-VERTE-DES-MIGRANTS-DEPORTES.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre