From: "Andrew Tarter" <andrew_tarter@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Thanks, Bob.
Interesting stuff.
The article you cited suggested that "no more than 28 percent of the land
should be cultivated if using optimum techniques for soil and water
conservation.” That may be true, but Haitian farmers have a penchant for
cultivating land that would otherwise appear uncultivable. The old adage
about Haitian farmers falling out of their fields to their death is a sad
testament to extremely steep hillside cultivation. Not "optimum
techniques," but since such practices continue to exist, they likely
expand the % land under cultivation.
And of course, the calculation does not account for perennial inputs from
mango, avocado, breadfruit, etc., nor caloric input from animals (wild and
domestic).
But given the variability and vulnerability of Haiti's largely rain-fed
agricultural systems, even a balanced equation would be susceptible to
food security issues. Throw in a pest like the one currently decimating
pitimi (sorghum) throughout the country, or the passage of a large storm
(Matthew), and the situation becomes more dire..
Cheers,
Andrew
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