From: "Kevin Adair" <kevin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Dear Stuart and List,
Can Haiti feed itself? How can we know?
These are excellent questions / issues, and I have some inquiries out to
see about finding some specific data, but let's see what info we do have.
One of the biggest issues in achieving sustainable self-reliance is
fertility rates. The more mouths to feed, the more food is required.
Great news for Haiti is that fertility rates have come down recently to be
within the range of sustainable countries!
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2127.html
http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.DYN.TFRT.IN?locations=HT
More of the data we need to fully answer Stuart's questions includes the
amount of tillable land available in Haiti and how much land would be
needed with the agricultural techniques of Haiti to feed 11M people. I join
Stuart in asking the list where this data might be available.
Another source that I have to share is the Timothy Schwartz book: *Travesty
in Haiti.*
Tim does a great job of documenting how "free" rice can be damaging to an
agrarian society (and no Stuart, I do not use that term in a derogatory
sense. Food has to come from somewhere. Farming is an honorable profession).
We do need data. Haiti needs improved documentation of where the food is
being raised, how it is distributed, what storage is available to keep food
from the weather and from bugs / rats? How do export crops such as Coffee,
cocoa, rum, vetiver, etc., which are non-nutritive, effect the income base
of Haitians who then may have the money to buy their own (preferably
Haitian grown) food?
These are questions that need answers. I'd be happy to work with you on
finding these answers. We have volunteer positions specifically focused on
these issues:
https://www.omprakash.org/global/el-fuego-del-sol/apply
Great to have the opportunity to share data with you. I'm sharing my
sources with you. If you comment on these issues, please share published
sources if possible.
Best,
Kevin
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