The Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR) is providing vegetable seeds, specifically bell pepper, tomato, eggplant, spinach, lettuce, parsley, melon, leek, and papaya, to producers in several municipalities of the South department. This is in line with its efforts to revive agricultural production and combat food insecurity.<\/strong><\/i><\/p>

This distribution, carried out as part of the emergency component of the Resilient Agriculture Project for Food Security (PARSA), aims to support over 2,000 farmers in developing their activities, diversifying vegetable crops, and increasing local production, according to a statement from MARNDR, which emphasizes that this seed distribution has a threefold objective, namely:<\/p>

- strengthening the food autonomy of households,<\/p>

  • - increasing farmers' incomes,<\/li>
  • - improving the supply of local markets with fresh products.<\/li><\/ul>
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                                                                                 Members of PARSA receive beneficiaries of the vegetable seed distribution<\/i><\/p>

    Twelve municipalities in the South department are involved in this emergency initiative by MARNDR, including Port-à-Piment, Chardonnières, Chantal, Saint-Jean du Sud, Saint-Louis du Sud, Maniche, Cavaillon, Les Cayes, Camp-Perrin, Port-Salut, Torbeck, and Ducis. According to information provided by Agronomist Thed St-Juste, Plant Production Assistant of PARSA in the South, more than 2,000 farmers in total will benefit from the aforementioned seed kits.<\/p>

    These inputs, Mr. St-Juste continued, will allow farmers to establish backyard gardens, a practice that encourages the production of vegetables and other crops close to homes. In a context where access to a diverse diet remains difficult for many households, growing close to home is a way for many to reconnect with the land and better meet daily needs. This approach aims to enhance the food autonomy of households while strengthening the food security of beneficiary communities.<\/p>

    The distribution of PARSA's vegetable seed kits is conducted in close collaboration with the Municipal Agricultural Offices (BAC), whose involvement in the process of identifying and selecting beneficiaries aims to ensure better consideration of local agricultural realities.<\/p>

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    In each targeted municipality, 100 farmers will be selected to receive vegetable seed kits. However, in municipalities with a strong agricultural vocation that have irrigation systems, this number will increase to 200 beneficiaries as part of this MARNDR support. Nevertheless, the Plant Production Assistant of PARSA emphasized that through this support, PARSA intends to provide each beneficiary with seeds for three distinct crops.<\/p>

    In the face of food insecurity that jeopardizes thousands of Haitian households, backyard gardens offer a local response to difficulties in accessing fruits and vegetables. By valorizing cultivable spaces near homes, households can produce part of the food intended for their consumption and, depending on the harvests, have potential surpluses for sale at local markets. This is aimed at diversifying their diet and reducing certain food expenses.<\/p>

    It should be noted that in rural communities, vegetable production is an important source of income for many rural households. In addition to supporting the local economy, it contributes to supplying communities with fresh products and diversifying diets. The development of these crops, in this regard, is very important for strengthening the livelihoods of farmers and supporting economic activities in rural areas, concludes the statement from MARNDR.<\/p>