USAID’S DEED PROGRAM TO IMPLEMENT SOIL CONSERVATION PLANS IN TWO WATERSHEDS

USAID’s DEED (Economic Development for a Sustainable En- vironment) is a three year project aiming to protect two wa- tershed areas in Haiti – Limbe in the north and Montrouis in the west- to reverse environmental degradation while improving livelihoods among watershed inhabitants. DEED promotes nat- ural resource management practices and, in association with member producer groups, local authorities, and the Ministère de l’Agriculture, spearheaded the development of pilot commu- nity-based soil conservation plans for the two targeted water- sheds. On June 24th and 29th 2010, a breakthrough watershed man- Archaie sub-watershed slope map used in developing agement group meeting was held, where all sub-watershed community soil conservation plans. The plans identify which sustainable crops should be promoted based units came together and adopted a framework to develop an on their capacity to reduce soil erosion on vulnerable integrated soil conservation plan for the next 3-5 years. This hillsides. was a combined effort of government- local and national, from Limbe and Montrouis- alongside producers, buyers, and com- munity representatives, who united to identify and establish sustainable production practices by region. This plan endorses sustainable production techniques that improve upon local farming practices and provide economic incentives through lu- crative value chains such as: Yam permaculture, pineapple hedgerow, cocoa, apiculture and meliferous tree productions, pasture and dairy production, aquaculture and vegetable gar- dening among others.

Member producer groups proposed distinctive agriculture prac-

tices that develop the main value chains. For example, a per-

maculture approach using pineapples and elephant grass, to control erosion, helps ensure a sustained revenue as the pro- ducers are able to reap profits from the fruits, grow a food

source for their livestock in the short term, and can thus afford

to plant and wait on fruit trees to mature.

Above: Limbe producer group MODEPROVES short- Photo: DAI DEED will continue working to support other important wa- ly after planting associated soil conservation crops tershed management strategies including infrastructure rehabili- using the yam permaculture technique on a vulnerable hillside. Below: The same plot several months later tation, construction, risk and disaster planning, training, as well demonstrating permanent vegetative cover. as provide technical and logistical support.