AID cooperative agreement no. 521-0192-A-00-6116-00 to Partnership for Productivity/International for a program of local resource development

Components will include: (1) transfer of erosion control and farming technologies, (2) credit and marketing promotion, (3) water supply development, (4) tree planting, and (5) research. The project will transfer mixed farming and erosion control packages to small farmers, with an emphasis on plant varieties, physical structures, planting techniques, and watershed management. The technologies will be disseminated by a network of agronomists, agricultural agents, animators, and local farmers through personal visits, technical extension services, and demonstration plots. Key technologies stressed will include: improved seed varieties; perennial contour vegetation strips and alley cropping; soil and water conservation structures (e.g., microcatchments, dry wall terraces); composting and mulching; green manure crops; agroforestry techniques; and, in animal husbandry, feeding regimentation, crop residue utilization, and a basic animal health care system. The project will also assess the feasibility of producing specialty crops (e.g., annato seed) for local or export markets. If feasibility is demonstrated, 50 ha will be set aside for these crops, and special technical and marketing packages will be developed. The project will also encourage the production of produce for the Port-au-Prince market. To encourage the use of the improved farming packages, the project will develop simple credit and marketing structures. A credit union (financed by sources other than A.I.D.) will provide funds to farmers using the new technologies and to those undertaking other income-generating activities. Additionally, the project will organize small farmer associations to improve marketing, permit collective purchases of inputs, and strengthen individual farmer access to credit. As these associations develop, more advanced activities will be promoted, such as grain storage facility construction, irrigation development, and supply contracts with third parties. The project will improve the region"s water supply by developing existing springs, building dams, and constructing water storage and retrieval systems (e.g., roof and ground catchment aprons). Moreover, 750,000 tree seedlings (or the equivalent in herbaceous soil conservation/livestock forage plants) will be planted over the life of the project. Finally, the project will support research activities, including a socio-institutional and environmental profile of the project area and an assessment of appropriate farming methods for the technology packages. Amendment of 6/24/87 extends project 1 year through 6/30/90 to continue ongoing activities. Authority for project implementation is transferred from PfP to CARE for the life of the project. (PD-AAZ-954)