The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR) joins all agricultural producers and entrepreneurs across the country, as well as all national and international partners, in celebrating World Agriculture Day (September 9), a strategic pillar at the heart of food security, national resilience, and sustainable development. This day invites us to recognize the indispensable role of women and men involved at all levels of agricultural value chains, as well as farmers' associations. Their daily commitment ensures the country's food stability, despite particularly demanding conditions.

Agronomist Vernet Joseph, Minister of Agriculture, expresses his deep gratitude to the technical and financial partners, as well as to national entrepreneurs and startups, who actively contribute to the modernization, innovation, and revitalization of agricultural sectors.

The national and international context highlights major structural and economic challenges. Our country faces profound challenges, such as insecurity, which exposes our producers to a near-constant threat, affecting production in key areas, particularly in the Artibonite, West, and Center departments, weakening the country's entire supply chain. Extreme weather events, particularly prolonged droughts and hurricanes, further weaken rural sectors and communities, while limited access to financing and agricultural insurance instruments hinders investment and innovation.

To address these challenges, the Ministry is implementing an integrated strategy aimed at strengthening climate resilience, diversifying sectors, and modernizing irrigation and mechanization infrastructure.

Bilateral and multilateral partnerships support the development of food security and local capacity building. At the same time, initiatives with national entrepreneurs and startups stimulate innovation, local processing, and market access.

The Ministry is also working to develop financial mechanisms and instruments tailored to the needs of producers and producer associations to sustainably support the sector's productivity and competitiveness.

On the occasion of this global celebration of agriculture, the Ministry reaffirms its commitment to continuing the transformation of Haiti's agricultural sector in a spirit of cooperation, inclusion, and modernization. It is through the joint mobilization of producers, partners, and the private sector that the country will be able to build a resilient, innovative agriculture capable of guaranteeing its food sovereignty.

HL/ HaitiLibre