(2023) The Economics of Land Degradation: A Case Study of the Northern Part of Haiti’s Central Plateau - An assessment of the economics of agroecological farming in Haiti
Summary — This report assesses the economics of agroecological farming in the northern part of Haiti's Central Plateau. It compares agroecological model farmers to conventional farmers, finding that agroecological practices lead to higher net incomes per hectare despite higher production costs. The study recommends policies and investments to scale up agroecology to address poverty and food insecurity.
Key Findings
- Agroecological model farmers have higher net incomes per hectare compared to conventional farmers.
- Intercropping is a key driver of increased land productivity.
- Agroecological farming leads to increased land productivity as measured by satellite imagery.
- Farmers express a strong desire to continue and expand agroecological farming practices.
- Quality seeds and labor are significant factors in agroecological farm productivity.
Full Description
This study examines the economics of land degradation and the potential of agroecological farming in the northern part of Haiti's Central Plateau. It uses household survey data and focus groups to compare the economic performance of agroecological model farmers with that of conventional farmers. The analysis reveals that agroecological farmers achieve higher net incomes per hectare due to increased land productivity, despite facing higher production costs. The report identifies intercropping, quality seeds, and labor as key drivers of productivity in agroecological systems. It concludes with policy recommendations to promote the scaling up of agroecology, including blended finance solutions, improved land tenure, and support for farmer organizations.