Haiti has an opportunity to restart cotton production through smallholder farmers to boost the economy. A feasibility study found favorable conditions and farmer interest. Reintroducing cotton could provide a new farming model incorporating social enterprise principles. It would integrate crops for local and export markets, and be easier to transition to organic production. The goal is to establish a sustainable cotton industry that improves incomes and livelihoods for smallholder farmers through a social enterprise model combining nonprofit and for-profit approaches.

1. Haiti Cotton Production – A New
Opportunity for Smallholder Farmers

2. Haiti in 6 numbers
10.9 million
1.1 million
1 million
58%
85%
12%
population of Haiti
number of farms
number of those farms that are smallholder
percentage of food imported annually
estimate of farmers receiving agricultural extension services
percentage of rice imported annually

4. Hurricane
Matthew’s
path
TUES.
OCT. 4
8 A.M.
HURRICANE
FORCE
WINDS
Port-au-PrinceJérémie
Chantal Les Cayes
Gonaives Port
Petit-Goâve
TROPICAL STORM
FORCE WINDS
H A I T I

5. Smallholder Farmers Alliance in 6 numbers
3,200 farmers
46%
6 million
40%
50%
3,400%
farmer members
members who are women
number of trees planted to date
average crop yield increase
estimate of additional children in school
average household income increase

6. Smallholder Farmers Alliance in 6 Numbers
3,200 farmers
46%
6 million
40%
50%
3,400%
farmer members
members who are women
number of trees planted to date
average crop yield increase
estimate of additional children in school
average household income increase

8. Moringa feasibility study
• three conditions: interest + feasibility study + client
pms 130 pms 3425 pms 377
M O R I N G A
Opportunities & Challenges for
Smallholder Far mer s in Haiti
Smallholder Farmers Alliance December, 2014

10. Cotton feasibility study
• three conditions: interest + feasibility study + client

11. History of cotton in Haiti
• cotton was once the 4th largest agricultural export from Haiti
• by late 1980s it was completely stopped
• four main reasons: - lack of financial services
- lack of technical support
- unexpected competition
- lack of infrastructure

13. Reasons for reintroducing cotton
• opportunity for new farming model
• incorporate social enterprise principles
• integrates crops for local and export markets
• good conditions and farmer interest
• easier transition to organic:
• potential for volume
1
2
3
4
5
6

14. Social enterprise model
• the Haiti Impact Alliance combines for-profit and non-profit for:
- innovation
- integration
- impact
- investment

15. What we are looking for
• source of cotton seeds suitable for organic (no GMOs)
• regional best practice examples specific to smallholders
• access to research via Quisqueya University
• advice regarding cotton gin equipment
• guidance on organic certification
• technical partnerships for South South transfer of knowledge