Haiti | < Latin America & the Caribbean

See also:
- Hurricane Georges Reconstruction Project
- Forest and Parks Protection Technical Assistance
- Monitoring and Evaluation Component of the Coffee Revitalization Project
- Agroforestry Outreach I and II

Productive Land Use Systems (PLUS)
Funding source: USAID

The goal of this program was to maximize the productive potential of Haitian
hillside agriculture by reducing the ongoing degradation of the country's natural
resource base through sustainable land-use interventions. The primary purpose
was to achieve sustainable increases in on-farm productivity and farmer income
through the integration of appropriate soil and water conservation practices, and
to introduce into existing farming systems native trees and shrubs, grasses, and
other plant materials to enhance soil fertility.

A secondary purpose was to continue the institutionalization of farmer-led demand
for appropriate land-use interventions, plant materials, and extension services.
Though the combination of support for farm-level replication and generating
increased demand for these interventions, the national parks administration and
project staff strove to ensure the long-term sustainability of project activities after
the termination of direct outside support.

The final years of the project focused on institutional sustainability of project
interventions. Greater emphasis was placed on building the capacity of existing
farmer groups and local NGOs to support their member farmers with advanced,
appropriate technology and service needs. These farmer groups and associations
developed the cooperative skills to continue and expand the conservation,
productive enterprise development and project management activities.