The Haiti Reconstruction Fund (HRF) is financing projects that support the private sector, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, whose the project to support milk production and transformation in Haiti, funded to the tune of 2 million U.S. dollars.

This Project, which is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and supervised by the United Nations Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), aims to improve conditions of small farmers and develop the milk production industry in Haiti.

Specific objectives :

• Recapture the internal milk product market and strengthen a network of enterprises involved in transformation of milk, offering a new, stable and profit-making outlet for milk farmers ;

• Increase the productivity of milk production ;

• Contribute to the structuration of the livestock farming sector by strengthening cattle farmers’ and milk producers’ organizations and create productive and commercial alliances between the different actors involved in the milk industry; and,

• Favor the consumption of milk products by Haitian school children.

Results to date :

• Increased production and productivity of dairies

• Ongoing construction of three dairies in three communes (Torbeck, Thomazeau and Cote de Fer) by SOCAP SA and Rotho’s Construction, two national firms.

• As a result of a socio-economic analysis of the three communes, an NGO (VETERIMED) was recruited to accompany producers to better structure themselves and legalize their status through milk producer associations. This assistance includes training by VETERIMED to approximately 450 livestock farmers and producers over a four-month period.

Improved commercialization :

Preparation for the procurement of material and equipment that will be installed in the dairies. These material and equipment will help bring about innovations in the transformation of milk to products including: pasteurized milk, butter, cream, cheese and yogurt. A particular emphasis will be placed on the commercialization of these products.

Strengthening national capacity :

Training sessions have been held with producer organizations in the selected zones, on issues such as organization strengthening, animal health, animal nutrition, livestock farming conduct, and breeding.

Upcoming activities :

• Continue accompaniment of milk producer associations;

• Finalize construction of the three dairies;

• Training of trainers for all actors in the milk production chain (“from field to fork”).

• Delivery of refrigerators for the commercialization of milk products

• Launch of bid for procurement of equipment for the dairies.

HL/ TB/ HaitiLibre