Haiti’s farmland is some of the least productive in the world. Widespread deforestation and poor environmental controls have stripped most of Haiti’s hillsides bare, the best topsoil washed downstream long ago.
And demonstrated as recently as 2008, alternating spells of drought and tropical storms can wreak havoc on the country’s large number of small-scale subsistence farmers.
Agricultural development programs are one of the most practical types of ministry in Haiti. If feeding programs are essential for short-term and life-saving relief in Haiti, then agriculture projects are essential for long-term improvement. Without them, there will never be lasting “relief.”
Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is working to develop agriculture initiatives ranging from reforestation, to food production, to fish farming, to clean water projects.
Quick Facts
- Only 2 percent of Haiti’s forests remain.
- 71 percent of energy used in Haiti comes from charcoal.
- More than half of Haitians have no access to clean water – 17 percent still filter dirty water with a cloth just to drink it.
How Northwest Haiti Christian Mission is helping
As Jesus used a net bursting with fish to draw others to Him, we believe that productive farms and new wells can be powerful tools to encourage deeper relationships with Christ. They are also vital for sustainable, long-term hunger relief and economic growth.
Our initiatives are still in their early stages, but we are pioneering diverse projects in communities across Northwest Haiti. Our current priorities include developing a tree nursery for the region, building fish farms at various key sites, and distributing goats to needy rural families.
Agricultural development is a community effort, and we welcome involvement from anyone with interest or experience. In fact, we depend on it.
To get involved in our agriculture or clean water programs, please contact Curtis Rogers today at curtis.rogers@nwhcm.org.
To support NWHCM agriculture projects and make a contribution toward our rural development projects, please click here.
