HAITI- IDB approves grant to boost agriculture in Northern Haiti.

WASHINGTON, CMC – The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a US$38.7 million grant to improve food security in Haiti’s North and North-East departments.

The “Program for Sustainable Agricultural Productivity in the North and North-East” seeks to expand sustainable access to irrigation, support the adoption of climate-resilient agricultural technologies, and strengthen agrifood producer organizations and small businesses.

The IDB said the program is expected to benefit about 7,800 smallholder farmers through improved irrigation, technology adoption, and technical assistance. It will also support 155 micro, small, and medium-sized agrifood enterprises (MSMEs) and producer organizations through business development services and matching grants, while expanding technical and vocational training opportunities for rural youth.

The operation incorporates environmental and social management measures, climate-resilience considerations, and actions to promote the participation of women and young people.

The IDB said these investments aim to strengthen agricultural production, support rural livelihoods, and foster more sustainable and adaptive rural development in northern Haiti. and enhance resilience to climate-related challenges in northern Haiti.

It said project preparation included broad consultations with more than 1,000 farmers, more than 400 value chain operators, 340 MSMEs, farmers’ associations, community members, local authorities, and civil society organizations in the project area.

The program is expected to be complemented by US$9.2 million in parallel cofinancing from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), bringing total financing to US
$47.9 million.