Let Haiti Feed Itself

If you read enough recent Haitian history, you'll discover that a series of trade policies in the early 90s directly affected the island nation's ability to sustainably produce its own food and feed its population. 50 years ago, Haitian farmers supplied nearly 80 percent of the food consumed by its citizens. The so-called "deal with the devil" didn't take place back in 1804 as Pat Robertson would have you believe. Instead, it began in 1994, when the International Monetary Fund introduced "sweeping trade liberalization measures" to the nation.

The IMF policy, which many claim was a U.S. condition for returning Jean-Bertrand Aristide to his position as President, allowed for a huge influx of what Haitians call "Miami Rice" – subsidized rice grown in the U.S. that was sold far below the market value of rice produced by the country's own farmers.

Given the rampant poverty and malnutrition across the island nation today, it's safe to say that free trade didn't work for the Haitians. Bluntly, the country's farmers got screwed. But within the cloud created by the recent earthquake lies a silver lining. Funding for sustainable agriculture in Haiti could create jobs, feed the hungry and restore parts of the ravaged countryside. It's not a magic bullet, but as more Haitians leave the urban areas leveled by the quake for rural areas, farming offers a viable way of life.

The U.N. agrees, and its Food and Agriculture Organization's Emergency Response Manager asserts that "growth in Haiti’s agricultural sector is now an urgent priority.” The FAO has requested a $700-million investment in Haitian agriculture. Currently, agriculture represents about a quarter of Haiti's GDP, and just over half of the country's population lives in rural areas. Many Haitians also tend their own farms and small plots, harvesting food for themselves that does not influence the country's GDP.

The FAO has also called for micro-lending initiatives to grant these small-time farmers the resources to expand and sell their wares. Reviving programs that were in place before the earthquake is an obvious way to start. But forgiving Haiti's debt to organizations like the IMF and the World Trade Organization, along with demanding fair trade agreements, will help the country become both economically and agriculturally sustainable in the long-term.

Photo credit: UN Photo/Sophia Paris