(2019) Agricultural Financing in Haiti: Diagnosis and Recommendations

This comprehensive World Bank report examines the state of agricultural financing in Haiti, identifying key barriers and opportunities in the sector. The study reveals that agriculture remains a decisive sector in the Haitian economy, with multipurpose family farms serving as the basis of agricultural production. However, the sector faces significant challenges including limited access to formal financial services, with marginal involvement from the banking sector and heavy reliance on microfinance institutions and savings cooperatives. The report analyzes the financial inclusion landscape in rural Haiti, highlighting the gap between financial service availability and agricultural sector needs. It examines various public intervention mechanisms and innovative project approaches that have been implemented to address financing gaps. The study also evaluates the role of informal networks, particularly the Madan Sara traders who play essential roles in agricultural product marketing. Key recommendations focus on evaluating and improving public interventions in agricultural sector financing, adapting the legal and regulatory framework, enhancing risk management capabilities of financial institutions, and strengthening demand from the agricultural sector. The report emphasizes the need for better coordination between different stakeholders and the development of more tailored financial products for agricultural producers. The analysis is based on extensive field research conducted in 2018 and draws on data from various sources including the Central Bank of Haiti, microfinance institutions, and agricultural cooperatives. It provides a roadmap for policymakers, financial institutions, and development partners to improve agricultural financing and support Haiti's agricultural development goals.