AVANSE WORK PLAN FY 2019: Appui à la Valorisation du Potentiel Agricole du Nord, pour la Sécurité Économique et Environnementale (AVANSE)

The program's overall approach focuses on empowering Haitian women and improving the competitiveness of key agricultural value chains, including rice, cacao, and plantain. AVANSE's management structure consists of a team of experts with diverse backgrounds and expertise. The program's approach is centered around three main objectives: increasing agricultural productivity, improving access to inputs, and strengthening extension services. To achieve these objectives, AVANSE has identified several key interventions, including the promotion of improved production technologies and systems, the strengthening of extension services, and the increase in access to inputs. One of the key value chains targeted by AVANSE is the rice value chain. The program aims to increase knowledge and availability of improved production technologies and systems, including the System of Rice Intensification (SRI). AVANSE will support the rice value chain through farmer field schools (FFS), the government, associations, and the private sector. The program will also focus on strengthening the extension of agricultural technologies, including building local understanding of SRI among farmers, agricultural ministry staff, and students. Another key value chain targeted by AVANSE is the cacao value chain. The program aims to increase knowledge and availability of improved production technologies and systems, including strengthening cacao productivity and diversifying income sources. AVANSE will partner with local organizations to improve cacao quality, increase producers' access to higher quality cacao markets, and improve sustainability. The plantain value chain is also a key focus area for AVANSE. The program aims to increase knowledge and availability of improved production technologies and systems, including strengthening producers' knowledge of new technologies, improving average yields and resiliency of plantain producers, and improving access of plantain producers to markets. In addition to these value chain-specific interventions, AVANSE will also focus on strengthening extension services and increasing access to inputs. The program will support the development of a soil testing laboratory and provide capacity-building support to district development agencies (DDAs) and basic agricultural cooperatives (BACs). AVANSE will also focus on infrastructure development, including the rehabilitation and construction of irrigation systems. The program will work with local communities to increase management capacity of water user associations and improve access to water for irrigation. Overall, the AVANSE program aims to improve agricultural productivity, promote economic and environmental security, and empower Haitian women in Northern Haiti. The program's interventions are designed to address the specific needs and challenges of the region and to promote sustainable agricultural development.