Community agriculture (continued)

Secondly, the technological constraints faced by our agricultural producers are disastrous. These include the lack of awareness about available technologies, low use of modern inputs, limited transfer of adapted technology, poor quality seeds, outdated tools, significant post-harvest losses, and weak agri-food associations, all of which severely hinder the development of the agricultural sector.

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Thirdly, there are constraints linked to the socio-economic environment. These challenges stem from various issues in the agricultural sector, such as small-scale farming operations, the deterioration of rural infrastructure, the disinvestment in agricultural holdings, scarcity of funding, lack of production resources, low increases in agricultural product prices, and the rural-to-urban migration, to name a few.

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Fourthly, the lack of state funding results in a low impact on the development of the primary sector. The sector is also affected by the brain drain abroad and the lack of skilled professionals on the ground who could strengthen the capacity of small agricultural producers in terms of agri-food management. It also goes without saying that the poor outcomes of agricultural infrastructure projects, the lack of public support for agriculture, particularly the absence of public/private funding for agricultural credit, which agricultural sectors could benefit from, as well as the gaps in agricultural planning at the local, regional, and national levels, contribute to these challenges.

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CHFESDI will support the development of agricultural cooperatives in all agro-food sectors to ensure that our farmers benefit from the diverse agro-ecological conditions of the country, which can help diversify plant production and develop agro-industry throughout the national territory. CHFESDI will help transform various products according to regions, establish community stores to increase production, and market agri-food products in local, national, and international markets. One of the key pillars of this sector that CHFESDI will address is the establishment of community stores in rural areas.

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To address a significant portion of the challenges mentioned above and take advantage of the opportunities they present, CHFESDI will partner with the Haitian Government to develop cooperatives and create Agricultural and Community Stores in the 10 departments of the country.

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The specific goal of setting up community stores is to encourage and develop peasant agriculture. Such a program will serve as a reference for the transformation and distribution of local products.

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In fact, the establishment of community stores will make the agricultural sector a business sector, laying the foundation for social economy in rural areas. This partnership will promote collaboration and harmonization of public and private actions that will contribute to the agricultural revival and economic development of the country. The benefits of community stores are immense—they will strengthen the agricultural sector, enhance agricultural production, promote value-added creation, ensure the protection and management of natural resources, and create jobs. The main objectives of community stores are as follows:

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• Develop plant, animal, fishing, and forestry sectors;

• Develop regional and national strategies in the agri-food sector, and support and monitor the implementation of these strategies to increase national production;

• Ensure food security by supplying community stores;

• Create a distribution network for agri-food products across the entire national territory;

• Seek and mobilize internal and external resources (human, material, and financial) necessary for the efficient implementation of this program;

• Identify and develop agricultural basins capable of supporting modern production, transformation, and commercialization units;

• Create a buying/selling cooperative for local agri-food products, generating revenue to help sustain community stores and benefit agricultural producers;

• Establish a Community Support Council for the community stores, composed of farmers, agronomists, and other professionals working in the sector. This council will serve as the national body for consultation and guidance on the operation of community stores.