Agriculture is vital to Haitian reconstruction – how the United States can help

Policymakers in Washington have shown their commitment to Haiti by pledging $1.15 billion to long-term reconstruction efforts and introducing the Haiti Empowerment, Assistance, and Rebuilding Act of 2010. But these efforts must be translated to committed funds. Equally important for long-term development, the United States and other donors must also generously fund the Haitian government’s $772 million agriculture plan and abandon trade policies such as dumping subsidized rice and placing barriers on Haitian exports.

Nearly 90 percent of Haiti’s rural people lived on less than $2 per day before the earthquake. The tremor displaced more than two million Haitians, including nearly 600,000 who initially migrated to the countryside, putting even more pressure on food and fuel resources. The massive international food aid surge following the earthquake reduced food prices and eased access to food, which helped those who were receiving direct food distributions. But food aid also hurt Haitian farmers whose incomes depend on food sales.

Giving with one hand and taking with the other must stop. The United States must abandon conflicting trade and aid polices and support the growth of Haiti’s fragile rural economy instead. U.S. rice subsidies and in-kind food aid are undercutting Haitian farmers at the same time as the U.S. government is investing in Haitian agricultural development. Adjusting trade policies to allow Haitian exports, particularly apparel products, to have full duty and quota-free access to the U.S. market would also help the country work its way out of poverty. Congress must also exempt Haiti from the so-called Bumpers Amendment, which prohibits direct assistance to the development of crops that may compete globally with US exports, such as rice.

The Haitian government’s $772 million agricultural reconstruction plan is an ambitious one, focusing on improving infrastructure, boosting production, and enhancing services to rural areas. But so far, the international community has not yet agreed to provide the resources requested for this plan. In a new report, “Planting Now: Agricultural Challenges and Opportunities for Haiti’s Reconstruction”, Oxfam highlights areas of the plan that can be strengthened to build a sustainable agriculture sector in Haiti. This includes supporting the crucial role of women in producing and marketing and strengthening the voice of rural farmers by building up local community organizations. Improving schools, healthcare, jobs, and the capacity of local governments to deliver services and promote community development are also critical to enhancing the quality of rural life. 

Comprehensive implementation and funding of this plan, alongside improved trade policies from the United States will help make rural areas more attractive and sustainable places to work and live for Haitians. This rural and agricultural development will go a long way toward improving access to food and reducing poverty for our neighbors.

Marc Cohen, Ph.D., is a senior researcher for humanitarian policy at Oxfam America.