Agricultural research is key to agricultural productivity and food security. Building institutional and human capacity in Haiti’s agriculture sector is key for economic growth and resilience to climate change. In partnership with Kansas State University, six Haitian universities are collaborating to create sustainable teaching, research, and extension programs in agricultural technology.
Haiti has excellent universities that can train students in agricultural production systems, and work with farmers. Many of these universities (University of Quisqueya, Université Chrétienne du Nord, American University of the Caribbean, Faculté d’Agronomie et de Médicine Vétérinaire, University of Notre Dame, and Campus Henry Christophe de Limonade) have partnerships with NGOs, local agricultural cooperatives, and area farmers. All have programs in agriculture, and will work together to create Bachelor and Master degree programs for Haitian students. Additionally, there will be educational certificates and other short term educational opportunities for farmers and others, all designed to meet agricultural economy and workforce needs.
The intent of the five-year Haiti Agricultural University Partnership (HAUP) is to cultivate these relationships while increasing the capacity of these six partner universities to conduct research and train students for careers in the agricultural sector. A cadre of professionals, in the West, North and South departments from the field to the laboratories, is critical for an agricultural production system to withstand the shocks and stresses, and create revenue-generating production.
Collaboration between university students and staff, farmers, extension professionals, and others will help to produce agricultural systems that are climate resilient, productive, and provide revenue for the Haitian people. First steps will be the creation of virtual classrooms, allowing delivery of courses via asynchronous teaching. This education will be meshed with agricultural technology parks (ATP), where climate-smart and new agricultural technologies will be showcased. These partnerships will create a sustainable and revenue generating consortium of ATPs and educational offerings that will create long-term employment and growth opportunities for Haitians.
