Report 29. Agroforestry knowledge, attitudes and practices in Northwest Haiti

Abstract

This study provides information about the knowledge, attitudes and practices concerning agroforestry and related agricultural practices of the part of 504 farm families served by CARE International in Northwestern Haiti. The data describe current conditions among farmers in the area and can be later used to assess progress toward CARE's goals to increase agricultural production, to increase farm incomes, and to improve sustainable resource management strategies in the region. The general characteristics of the households are described, including household composition, property and possessions, the organization of work, erosion control and soil conservation practices, hedgerow and tree managment practices, crops planted, sold and preferred, sources and storage of seed and seedlings, and off-farm economic activities. Important differences among the regions and the households studied which influence development efforts are noted. The household division of labor in the area is shown to greatly vary on the basis of sex and age and to be influenced by male migration patterns. A substantial minority of households are headed by women. Kombits or cooperative work groups are seen to play an important role in rural production. The data indicate a clear need for more information about specific agroforestry practices on the part of many farmers. Over half the farms studied possess some animals which are often fed from agroforestry sources. Tool availability and use is often low. Noteworthy differences are found among crops grown, sold and preferred. A number of conclusions and recommendations based on the findings are offered.

Etid si-la bay informasyon sou bagay moun konin, attitude ak pratik ki gen pou wè ak travay latè ak rebouazeman è gen pou wè ak pratik agrikilti nan 504 fammi enba CARE International en Haiti. Infomasyon-yo explikè konditision de vie pami pèizan-yo è yo (infomasion-yo) ka sèvi komm route pou pwogrè nan bu CARE genyen pou ogmantè pwodiksion agrikol, pou ogmantè lajen k'ap rantrè nan kay la, è pou amèliorè zon-an. Bagay ki impotan pou ètid la dèkri nan rapò si-la, tankou jan kay-la yè, propriètè ak bagay ki pou yo, oganizasion travay-la, kontrol erozion an ak konservasion tè-a, kontrol sou piè boua-yo, sou bagay yo plantè vann ak sa yo prèfètè kimbe, ak lot aktivitè ki pa gen rapò ak travay latè-a. Difèrense ki influensè èfò dèvelopman nou jouen nan zon ak kay yo exprimè nan ètid si-la. Divizion travay ki nan kay yo, nan zon ètid nan, bazè plis sou laj ak sex, dèplaseman gason yo influensè division travay-la. Yon men sèlemen de famm ki chef kay. Yon lot bagay ki jouènan pwodiksion zon nan se kombit. Infomasion kè nou jouen nan men plantè yo, di nou kè nou bezouin plis dirèk infomasion sou jan yo pratikè travay tè-a ak rebouazeman. Plis kè mouatiè femm nan femm nou etidiè yo, gen zannimo ki manjè sou pratik travay tè-a ak rebouazeman. Jouen zouti ak sèvi ak yo sè yon bagay yo rèkoltè, vann ou prèfèrè kimbè. Etid si-la bay on bon nomb konseil ak rekomandasion.