By Marie Marthe Saint Cyr | Executive Director
Going through Nippes in the South department of Haiti, in July, the staff of the Lambi Fund could not help but notice that across the many road trenches, small rivers and gravel roads we are amid a very productive soil, lush in green nature and full of potential to produce more food. It is in the locality of Plesanz Di SId that we have partnered with KOKAP to expand the cacao and coffee production. We visited one of three nurseries build and tendered by its members especially trained to improve their agro-forestry project.
KOKAP comprises 210 members of the population od 21,624 members. Farmers in this area has lost the support of government agricultural agencies for years and decided to gether to model Jacmel Cooperative to regenerate and expand the production of coffee and Cacao. KOKAP members, by so doing are creating new potential for revenue producing activities and reduce poverty in the locality.
At KOKAP, we are not only restoring gardens, we are also protecting the environment. The goal of this partnership project is to plant 120,000 trees. In three years, these seedlings wil be part of the breakfast table for many in the area. We are talking about coffee and Cacao. Both with milk and sugar and cinnamon grace many breakfast tables with fresh bread and peanut butter.
Community members and members of the organization seeded 30,000 cacao seeds in the first six month ending in June. Now, in front of us, is a locally constructed nursery effort, using the leaves of the coconut trees to shade the new seedlings. They place the setting next to the river to facilitate watering new seedlings adequately. Volunteers filled bags and seeded.
In 2 months, the growing cacao trees will be moved to be in the permanent selected living space and within three years they will be producing blooming fowering new fruits. Cacao is not only a staple full of nutritious value for eveyone, but also allows for export through cooperative in the south, creating revenue for each active participant.
This project is adding to the level of productio for a membership of 210 (70 men and 140 women). Itis well on the way to reduce poverty and create revenue to improve the condition people in Plesanz Di Sid.
We are grateful for your help to make this life enhancing project possible.Thank You.
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