Year 1 Annual Report: Oct 1, 2015– Sept 30, 2016

The program's main focus is to increase the availability of improved production technologies to farmers and the private sector through effective extension and development of an agricultural innovation system. The SARDP is based on a strategic framework to enhance and improve existing country-driven approaches to address food insecurity and under-nutrition by strengthening and supporting Haitian institutions, including the Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Ressources Naturelles et du Développement Rural (MARNDR), Faculté d’Agronomie et de Médecine Vétérinaire (FAMV), Ecoles Moyennes d’Agriculture (EMAs), and other research institutions. The program builds on the National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP), which outlines key interventions needed to improve the agricultural sector. The SARDP's approach is guided by five key principles: providing opportunities for male and female Haitians to improve their lives, supporting training, innovation, and inclusive communication, mentoring agents of change, building and supporting stronger farmer organizations and agribusinesses, and fostering a culture of evaluation, self-assessment, and accountability. The program also aims to inspire educated and trained Haitians to fuel the growth of the agriculture sector through innovative research and extension. During Year 1, the SARDP implemented several activities, including a soil salinity pilot study, a plant pathology program, a legume breeding program launch, and social science team activities. The program also established a Master of Science graduate student program and conducted research on the formal agricultural input system in Haiti. The SARDP's geographic focus is on the Bas Boën region, where a pilot soil salinity study was conducted. The study aimed to assess the extent of soil salinity and its impact on crop yields. The program also worked with farmers in the region to develop and implement sustainable agricultural practices. The SARDP's methodology involved conducting research and development activities, providing training and capacity building for farmers and agricultural extension agents, and establishing partnerships with local institutions and organizations. The program's key findings and conclusions include the need for sustainable agricultural practices, the importance of soil conservation, and the potential for increased crop yields through the use of improved production technologies. The SARDP's implementation details include the establishment of a project office in Haiti, the hiring of local staff, and the development of a project management plan. The program also established partnerships with local institutions, including the MARNDR, FAMV, and EMAs. The SARDP's timeframes and recommendations include a two-year project duration, with a focus on the first year's activities and accomplishments. The program's recommendations include the need for continued support for the SARDP, the importance of building on existing models of success, and the need for further research and development activities to address the challenges facing the Haitian agricultural sector. The SARDP's geographic focus is on Haiti, with a specific emphasis on the Bas Boën region. The program's context is the country's agricultural sector, which is characterized by low productivity, limited access to credit and training, and a lack of effective extension and development of an agricultural innovation system. The SARDP's recommendations for future activities and projects include the need for continued support for the SARDP, the importance of building on existing models of success, and the need for further research and development activities to address the challenges facing the Haitian agricultural sector. The program also recommends the establishment of a business model incubator to support talented researchers and innovators, and the development of a culture of evaluation, self-assessment, and accountability within the Haitian agricultural sector.