The goal of the project is to enable smallholder families in Delatte to obtain better yields thanks to improved and environmentally friendly farming practices. Caritas Switzerland supports a total of 2,450 smallholder families who live mainly from subsistence agriculture and are organised in farmers organisations.
As part of the project, 270 farmers have the opportunity to take part in training sessions in which they can learn about environmentally friendly measures, for example which tree species can best prevent landslides. Further training is also offered to 350 small farmers on the effects of climate change and how to cope with them. An additional workshop for 270 participants deals primarily with planting techniques.
Another important part of the project is reforestation. To this end, a total of 191,000 forest and fruit tree seedlings are planted in tree nurseries. With the aim of spreading new, locally unknown varieties in the project area, some of the seedlings are planted in training fields. The seedlings produced are given to interested smallholder farmers against payment of a small amount. The beneficiaries of the plants are supported by regular visits from agricultural experts to their fields. A total of 760 smallholder families benefit from the reforestation.
To protect against soil erosion, grass buffer strips are planted on the mountain slopes (see picture above). It is planned to establish several green strips at a total length of 70,000 metres.
In a previous project in Petit-Goâve, it was found that the cultivation of certain vegetable and spice varieties as well as rabbit breeding were a popular and profitable source for diversifying people’s income. These small business ventures are also supported in this project. Particular attention is given in the creation of small vegetable gardens to supporting women and women’s organisations. The aim is to promote women’s autonomy, and for women’s organisations to act as pioneers for a productive and environmentally friendly economy. Promoting rabbit breeding is particularly favourable since they can be fed with the plants from the grass buffer strips. To ensure the sustained success of small animal breeding, the project is also training ten para-professional vets. In total, 160 families are supported in breeding rabbits.
Another project component supports 30 potential producers in the local production of high-quality seeds. This measure makes a significant contribution to ensuring the food sovereignty of the local smallholder families.
An important part of the project is the support given to existing farmers’ organisations, as well as linking them with organisations in other parts of the country. In particular, this is to promote the exchange of information on the topic of organic farming.
