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Agriculture

Haiti's Farmers Build Resilience One Seed at a Time

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

In Haiti, a country deeply affected by crisis and humanitarian emergencies, small farmers rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. However, the sector faces significant challenges due to low-quality seeds, limited access to resources, and increasing gang-related violence. To address these issues, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is working with the Ministry of Agriculture to localize the seed economy and train members of organized seed banks, known as Groupements de Production Artisanale de Semences (GPAS). These groups cultivate high-quality seeds to distribute to other farmers, aiming to increase yields and reduce dependency on foreign seed and food imports.

Key Takeaways:

  • The FAO is working with the Ministry of Agriculture in Haiti to establish a local seed economy and train farmers in seed production, aiming to increase agricultural productivity and food security.
  • The Groupements de Production Artisanale de Semences (GPAS) program involves over 200 groups throughout Haiti, cultivating high-quality seeds to distribute to other farmers.
  • The GPAS program was revitalized in 2010 following the devastating 7.0 earthquake, which highlighted the need to rebuild the agricultural sector.
  • FAO provides seed banks with silos and tools for proper storage during climate shocks, enabling farmers to protect stocks despite extreme weather events.
  • GPAS farmers are trained in best practices for cultivation, harvesting, and financial management, emphasizing the importance of local knowledge and adaptability to local ecosystems.
  • The FAO's work in Haiti focuses on creating self-sustaining communities, recognizing that resilience can give communities back dignity and make them take control of their own lives.
  • Haiti's agricultural sector faces significant challenges, including low-quality seeds, limited access to resources, and increasing gang-related violence.
  • The country is ill-prepared for impending climate shocks and relies heavily on exports, making it an untenable food situation.
  • Approximately, 1.3 million people have been displaced in Haiti, and six million face emergency food insecurity.
  • The FAO works to provide seeds that are well-adapted to local climate conditions, ensuring that the seeds are of good quality and allow for proper production.
  • Haiti's small farmers only produce 40% of the country's food, making it necessary to address the agricultural sector's challenges to ensure the country's food security.

Statistics:

  • 40% of Haiti's food is produced by its agricultural sector, which relies on small farmers and is heavily affected by low-quality seeds.
  • Over 200 GPAS groups are located throughout Haiti, working to cultivate and distribute high-quality seeds.
  • Approximately 1.3 million people have been displaced in Haiti, and six million face emergency food insecurity.
  • Haiti's agricultural sector is ill-prepared for impending climate shocks, which threaten the country's food security.
  • The FAO works to provide seeds that are well-adapted to local climate conditions, ensuring that the seeds are of good quality and allow for proper production.

Sources:

  • "From crisis to cultivation: Haiti's farmers build resilience one seed at a time" by M2 PressWIRE, August 11, 2025.
  • Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) press release (exact date not specified).
  • M2 Communications disclaimer.

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