ARTICLE - WORLD BANK - $50 MILLION - AGRICULTURE

$50 MILLION FOR RE-LAUNCHING AGRICULTURE
(Haiti Libre) -

The World Bank Board of Directors approved yesterday Thursday, as part of its new 12-month strategy for Haiti, a project amounting to USD$50 million for re-launching agriculture in Haiti.

This re-launching agriculture project, of $50 million, including $10 million co-financing from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program Trust Fund (GAFSP), supports Haiti’s National Agriculture Investment Plan to increase the productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector, while improving food security and nutrition among the most vulnerable groups.

Agriculture plays a dominant role in Haiti’s economy, contributing 25 percent of GDP and accounting for around 50 percent of overall employment.

Specifically, the project will :

Strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR) to implement the National Agriculture Extension Strategy.

Increase access of 50,000 small and medium producers to the latest in agriculture technologies and training on animal and plant health throughout the country.

Provide financial assistance in the case of an agriculture sector emergency.