Haiti Reforestation Project FY19 Annual Progress Report.pdf

DISCLAIMER This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by

Chemonics International Inc. under Cooperative Agreement AID-521-A-17-00011.

The author’s views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflects the views of the United States Agency for International

Development or the United States Government.

FY 19 ANNUAL PROGRESS REPORT

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT

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USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT

FY 19 ANNUAL PROGRESS

REPORT

SEPTEMBER 1, 2018 – SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

Submission Dates: December 29, 2019

May 25, 2020

Agreement Number: AID-521-A-17-00011

USAID Agreement Officer’s Representative: Kenold Moreau

Implementation Consortium: Chemonics International, National Cooperative

Business Association – The Cooperative League of the USA (NCBA CLUSA), and

International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS 1

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2

PROGRAM APPROACH 4

RESULT 1: THREAT OF DEFORESTATION REDUCED 9

RESULT 2: RESILIENCE TO ECONOMIC AND NATURAL SHOCKS

IMPROVED 13

RESULT 4 : ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE AND

COORDINATION IMPROVED 22

MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING 27

COMMUNICATIONS & OUTREACH 30

SUB-AWARDS AND CONTRACTS ADMINISTRATION 31

MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION 40

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE 42

ANNEX A: INDICATORS TABLE AND TARGETS ACHIEVED DURING

FY2019 44

ANNEX B: SEEDLINGS TRANSPLANTED DURING FY2019 46

1 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

ASEC Assemblée des Sections Communales

AVANSE

APS

Appui à la Valorisation du potentiel Agricole du Nord pour la

Sécurité Economique et Environnementale

Annual Program Statement

BAC

CASB

CASEC

Bureau Agricole Communal

Centre pour l’Agriculture Saint Barnabas

Conseil d’Administration de la Section Communale

CBO Community Based Organization

CECI

CFAIM

Centre d’Etudes et de Coopération Internationale

Centre de Formation en Aménagement Intégré des Mornes

CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture

CMBP

CNIGS

Caribbean Marine Biodiversity Program

Centre National de l’Information Géospatial

COAIT Community Options Analysis and Investment Toolkit

CRDD Centre Rural de Développement Durable

DDA-N Directions Départementales Agricoles du Nord

DDA-NE Directions Départementales Agricoles du Nord-Est

DDE-N Directions Départementales de l’Environnement du Nord

DDE-NE Directions Départementales de l’Environnement du Nord’Est

FBO Faith-based Organizations

FECCANO Fédération des Coopératives Cacaoyères du Nord

FOPROBIM Fondation Pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine

GIS Geographic Information System

GOH Government of Haiti

LPG Liquefied Propane Gas

NCBA CLUSA National Cooperative Business Association-Cooperative League of

USA

NGO Non-governmental Organization

NUPAS Non-U.S. Organization Pre-Award Survey

PEA

PMU

Political Economy Analysis

Project Management Unit

RECOCARNO Réseau des Coopératives Caféières de la Région Nord

RFA

RFP

RFQ

TEC

TNC

Request for Applications

Request for Proposals

Request for Quotations

Technical Evaluation Committee

The Nature Conservancy

USAID United States Agency for International Development

3BNMP 3 Bays National Marine Park

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 2

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The USAID Reforestation Project, based in Cap-Haitian, is a 5-year project aimed at improving the resilience of targeted populations by reversing longer term trends of environmental degradation and loss of tree cover in the Nord and Nord-Est Departments of Haiti. It works to empower target communities and build their capacities and assets for improved tree cover and landscape management, thereby enhancing their ability to withstand environmental and other shocks and stresses. The Project is implemented in five priority watersheds: Haut du Cap, Grande Rivière du Nord, Trou du Nord, Marion and Jassa rivers, plus the Capotille sub-watershed of the Massacre river – border region with the

Dominican Republic.

Fiscal Year 2019 has proven a pivotal year in the life of this Project:

• It consolidated the foundation laid during the first year in terms of relationships, coordination, engagement and work with the relevant government entities, local authorities, communities, partners, and beneficiary farmers. This year also fostered the development of partnerships with the private sector;

• The Project worked with its partners to better integrate resilience and sustainable landscape management, and build the capacities of beneficiaries to deal with changing climatic and economic conditions as a key element to improve tree cover management;

• It also showed the Project’s resiliency and ability to adapt. Despite the socio-political unrest, including “country lock,” and the resulting fuel shortage that rocked the country for over half of the year, the Project has achieved or exceeded 10 of the 15 target indicators applicable for the year, and achieved over 60% of four of the remaining five targets. Most notably, the Project achieved 141% of its tree planted target, and 146% of its target number of people receiving livelihood co-benefits deriving from the Project’s implementation.

To achieve these targets, the project provided a range of environmental services in targeted forest and agroforestry areas in support of food security and resilience to economic and natural shocks. The commitment and dedication of the Project staff and the level of ownership of Project’s activities and initiatives by the beneficiaries, partners and local authorities integral to the level of achievements highlighted below, and broken down into the Project’s four intermediate results:

1. Threat of Deforestation Reduced: Improved understanding of the causes and impacts of deforestation is critical to achieve this intermediate result. A Political Economic Analysis (PEA) was completed and utilized to identify and implement the following activities to increase awareness and reduce deforestation threats. The project put 135 biologically significant hectares of land under improved natural resource management in FY2019 and provided 120 beneficiaries with improved energy services as a result of project activities. Specific accomplishments included:

• Twenty-four charcoal producers participated in the testing of improved kilns for charcoal production, and as a result better understood the importance of air flow the charcoal production process to decrease waste, improve efficiency, and decrease net carbon emissions.

• Improved student awareness through an inter-school competition with more than 240 fourth through sixth grade students competing in curriculum on the water cycle, climate change, biodiversity protection, natural resource management, and reforestation.

• Spatial analysis of topographic data and community mapping and identification of 2,000 hectares vulnerable to erosion for reforestation.

2. Resilience to Economic and Natural Shocks Improved: Rainfall was erratic in FY 2019, marked by an unusually long dry period from April to October. This drought issue reduced the number of hectares planted, adversely affected crop outputs and resulted in the death of more than 3,000 heads of cattle. In order to improve resilience to these natural and economic shocks, the Project promoted climate change adapted practices that included training of more than 250 livestock

3 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

farmers, including 97 females, and supporting them in forage production, harvest, conservation and storage. Specific accomplishments included:

• 6,596 individuals engaged into project interventions to increase production for improved food security – 155% of the Project’s FY2019 target of 4,250 individuals.

• 2,928 people that received livelihoods co-benefits associated with Project activities, such as sustainable landscapes interventions – 146% of the target of 2,000 persons. In addition to the non-documented revenues associated with farmers’ increased production, the Project’s tree planting campaigns provided $135,373 in direct support to farmers and community members, and $165,797 in revenues for local small and micro enterprises.

• 3,208 individuals who applied Project-promoted improved agricultural management practices, especially in terms of agroforestry and agrosylvopastoral production – 92% of the target of

3,480.

• 992 hectares of land restored through improved technologies/management practices – 114% of the target of 869 hectares.

• 37% of females designated participants with improved access to economic resources, far in excess to the target of 15%.

• Initiation of the establishment of a 5-hectare campus Centre Rural de Développement Durable

(CRDD) in Terrier Rouge.

3. Tree Cover in Targeted Areas Increased: The target for Fiscal Year 2019 was to produce

1,500,000 seedlings – 550,000 for agroforestry and 950,000 for woodlots – and to transplant

500,000 tree seedlings. In partnership with local authorities, communities and beneficiaries, the

Project:

• Produced 988,094 forest and fruit seedlings through community nurseries it established and supported.

• Planted 703,094 seedlings on 992 hectares, with roughly half of the seedlings produced through project activities, and half purchased from local private nurseries.

• Worked on the rehabilitation of 100 hectares of mangrove stands and transplanted 11,000 mangrove seedlings.

4. Environmental Governance and Coordination Improved: Strengthening natural resource governance mechanisms addresses the need to incentivize farmer investment in natural resource management and fosters public sector engagement in addressing environmental shocks. Specific

FY2019’s accomplishments included:

• Support for 6 region-level coordination and advocacy meetings and events with government and non-government institutions and organizations engaged in natural resources management in the region – the target for the year was 1.

• 2 sub-watershed management plans endorsed/adopted by municipal authorities. These include, among other aspects, areas designated for reforestation with a view to protect fragile landscapes, springs or water sources – right on target for the year.

• Training of 1,132 people in sustainable landscapes management - significantly exceeding the target of 500. Of those stakeholders trained, 33% were women. A total of 577 mayors, municipal directors, municipal sections authorities and council members were trained on regulations pertaining to tree cover, water resources, and livestock management.

This Project’s achievements in this fiscal year contribute to improving food security and increasing resilience in target areas. They set the groundwork for meeting the Project targets and benchmarks in

FY 2020, and put the it on a path to successfully achieve its objectives, including ensuring that the beneficiaries and partners take ownership of the initiatives to scale up geographically and beyond the life of the Project.

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 4

PROGRAM APPROACH

Two years of implementation allowed for a natural reflection period on capturing lessons learned and adapting the Project’s approach to ensure wider scale successes that prepare for Project’s partners to continue Project activities after August 2022. Mid-year, the Project team undertook a series of strategic reviews of Project' activities and achievements. The team also reviewed the feedback given by USAID, concluding that, while the Project successfully met and exceeded the majority of its FY2019 targets:

1. Its organizational structure of four components led to the impression of four different programs, operating with little integration or geographic focus. There should be better integration of the various Project components for a more comprehensive approach to improve efficiency and achieve concrete results;

2. USAID’s new priorities of building resilience capacities and private sector engagement should guide the Project objectives, activity design and implementation. In May, the Project conducted a resilience scoping assignment, led by Chemonics resilience expert Dr. Thomas Fattori, to help identify and target specific adaptive, absorptive and transformative capacities that strengthen beneficiaries’ resilience to shocks and long-term stresses in support of efforts to increase tree cover in the priority sites;

3. Conclusions from the Project’s completed Political Economy Analysis (PEA) were not integrated fully into implementation approaches. The structural barriers to improved natural resource governance identified in the PEA, and the organizational capacities identified through the Community Options Analysis and Investment Toolkit (COAIT) exercise must be taken into consideration in the Project’s strategy and approach.

These conclusions and recommendations formed the basis for the development of the FY 2020 workplan (in August 2019) as an integrated package of activities that build core resilience capacities in communities and support them on their journey to self-reliance.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH & STRATEGY REVISION

Following an analysis in early FY2019 on the results accomplished when working uniquely through sub-awardees to reach beneficiaries, especially the long review and approval process, the Project determined that a parallel approach was needed to directly reach key beneficiaries and targets, and to provide timely responses to critical needs in areas outside of the identified priority zones. After discussions and working sessions with USAID, the Project created a Direct Implementation (DI) unit which contributed significantly to its reaching and even exceeding many of its targets, especially those related to the establishment and/or rehabilitation of forests and woodlots, and agroforestry production, and the number of people receiving livelihood Project’s related co-benefits. That approach provided for rapid and direct partnership with local government authorities, community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-based organizations (FBOs), youth or women groups and associations, contributing to strengthening and empowering them for sound engagement in similar activities in the future. It helped engage, empower, and build the capacity of targeted partners, including local authorities, to guide and coordinate natural resource management works in their respective communities. Through the DI approach, the Project installs small community decentralized tree nurseries, and relies on tree seedling procurements from private reputable vendors in or around the community until the community nurseries are fully operational. This method facilitates in-kind community contributions for the implementation of Project activities, whether through tree-planting or community volunteer days.

The Project’s integrated resilience package rests on four principles:

• Resilience – as the overall centralizing ingredient

• Focus – in key priority sub-watersheds to increase impacts and develop models

5 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

• Collaboration – internal and external with sub-watershed management committees, and public and private sector stakeholders

• Sustainability – leveraging, buy-in, models, upscaling and broadening

Starting in FY2019, the Project began concentrating more activities in areas with established sub-watershed management plans, which are guiding documents for how local authorities and beneficiaries seek to manage their community’s landscape. These plans were developed or revised with the Project’s assistance and in collaboration with key stakeholders, including local authorities, representatives of the

Ministries of Agriculture and Environment, and community leaders. To date, five sub-watershed management plans have been developed and approved by their communities and relevant stakeholders:

Joli-Trou/Cormier and Bahon (both in Grande Riviere du Nord watershed), Perches (Marion watershed), Gens de Nantes/Savanne Longue (Jassa watershed) and Capotille (border area – Massacre watershed).

REVISED ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Since the Project’s inception, the team managed all of the activities from the office in Cap-Haitien, located at the western edge of the target areas. To become more efficient and mitigate some of the risks associated with the recent and unpredictable socio-political unrests, in August 2019 the Project restructured its staff and activities into two regional units. A regional office was added in Ouanaminthe to cover the watersheds of rivers Marion and Jassa, and the commune of Capotille in the watershed of river Massacre. The opening of a regional office in Ouanaminthe has several benefits:

• Being closer and providing fuller support to partners and activities in the eastern portion of the

Département du Nord-Est;

• Facilitating cross-border interaction and collaboration, especially with the USAID DR Local

Works Project;

• Reducing time spent by staff on the road between Cap-Haitien and these activity sites;

• Allowing the project to continue to support these activities during social unrests around Cap-

Haitien or on the road to Ouanaminthe.

Each region is headed by a Regional Director responsible for Project implementation in their geographic area: Region 1 covering the watersheds of Haut du Cap, Grande Riviere du Nord and Trou du Nord

(Exhibit 1) and Region 2 covers the areas shown in Exhibit 2. The team of Region 1 operates directly from the Project Office in Cap-Haïtien, which houses the Project leadership, operations and management team and the senior technical specialists unit. The team of Region 2 operates from the

Office located in Ouanaminthe.

This year, the Project also took strong measures to increase internal technical collaboration and impacts in the field through the creation of the senior technical specialists unit. They support the implementation of the Project strategy and provide quality control. They coordinate the development of technical packages and briefs promoted and disseminated by the Project and guide technical adaptation and adoption as well as integration of science, technology and innovation.

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 6

Exhibit 1: Map of Region 1

7 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

Exhibit 2: Map of Region 2

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 8

PRIVATE SECTOR ENGAGEMENT

To solicit new ideas from the private sector, in the last quarter of FY2019, the Project invited firms to submit concept notes on proposals aiming to foster income-generating investments in agro-forestry related value chains. The concept notes required a minimum 1:1 match on Project funds and offered the opportunity to increase income for targeted small holder farmers. Out of 19 concept notes received, the only two promising ones include investments in moringa seed oil production and animal forage value chains. The Project initiated discussions with these two applicants, and will continue to work with them in FY2020, exploring the possibility of potential co-design for more efficient processes and results.

Toward the end of the fiscal year, the Project was in the final stage of discussions with Antillean Canning

S.A. (ANCASA) to hold a marketing trial to source ackee from farmers in northern Haiti for processing in Port-au-Prince and exporting internationally. ANCASA currently sources ackee from other areas in

Haiti and wishes to expand its network of suppliers into the Nord, due to a significant increase of its raw product needs. ANCASA plans to buy from existing ackee trees in the Département du Nord to pilot commercialization of northern ackee, and if the pilot is successful, ANCASA has expressed interest in financing increased ackee planting and production by farmers in the Project’s area. These final discussions have focused on the right approach for conducting an inventory of existing ackee production that could be tapped for an initial test procurement, how to approach the design of a traceability system, and scaling scenarios, should the activity be successful.

In May, representatives of USAID, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, PADF and Chemonics for the USAID

Reforestation Project met to discuss the development of a partnership for Labadie and surrounding areas. RCCL expressed interest in supporting income generating activities in the communal section of

Bande du Nord. As a result, the Project submitted a concept paper to RCCL for the co-funding of a sub-grant to Organisation pour le Développement de Labadie. The objective of this activity is to improve visitors’ experience and increase villagers’ income through agroforestry-based ecotourism. Two other concept papers will be submitted in FY 2020 to RCCL for the possible co-funding of sub-grants for agroforestry and forage production in Bande du Nord, and for mangrove stands rehabilitation and income generation in Baie de l’Acul.

9 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

RESULT 1: THREAT OF DEFORESTATION REDUCED

During FY2019, the Project intended to reduce the threat of deforestation by improving general understanding of the main drivers to monitor them and raise awareness among stakeholders. The

Project was to build upon the groundwork achieved during the first year through the Political Economic

Analysis (PEA) and the wood market assessment development and to setup the tools for the continuous monitoring of tree cover spatial dynamics and drivers of deforestation and of climate data. The Project planned to work with local, municipal, and regional authorities, watershed management committees and implementing partners to designate 2,000 hectares for reforestation activities and an additional 170 hectares of biological significance for conservation. Moreover, during the reporting period, the Project was to give access to improved energy services to at least 200 beneficiaries and reduce charcoal consumption by 5,000 metric tons through increased use of improved cooking technologies.

During the reporting period, the PEA document was finalized. This exercise helped identify and confirm the main threats of deforestation. This study also provided useful information in terms of the perception of local actors vis-à-vis projects funded by the international community.

FROM IMPROVING CHARCOAL PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY TO REDUCING

CHARCOAL DEMAND

During FY 2019, the Project worked with three charcoal producers’ associations in Philibert (Ferrier), Bayaha (Fort-Liberté), and Dumas (Fort-Liberté) to test the carbonization process efficiency and charcoal quality of two models of improved kilns (Kinyanjui and KEFRI) in comparison with the traditional method of charcoal production (exhibit 3). Twenty-four charcoal producers participated in the testing, demonstration and training program.

Exhibit 3: Top left – KEFRI model ignition (at CASB)

Bottom left – KEFRI model in production (in Philibert, Ferrier)

Top right – KINYANJUI model in production (at CASB)

PHOTOS: Moralus Joseph, USAID Reforestation Project

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 10

The testing did not yield the expected results in terms of promotion of improved kilns, as the carbonization efficiency was not significant, especially taking into consideration the costs of these two models of improved kilns. Nevertheless, the Project used it as an opportunity to help the 24 charcoal producers (42% women) involved in the testing to understand the importance of air flow control in the carbonization process. It taught and coached them on how best to regulate airflow through the bottom of the kiln. The principle is that too little air and the fire will go out, but too much air and the wood will burn to ash instead of carbonizing into charcoal. Through air flow control in the kiln, these charcoal producers are learning how to increase their charcoal yield using the same amount of wood in their kilns, and reduce the time required to sort the charcoal and remove ash. The Project will continue to work with them and encourage them to apply these lessons in their traditional kiln, and to share their newly acquired skills with their peers. This will also have a direct impact on women involved in the charcoal production chain. Women lead activities such as the sun drying of cut wood, the transportation of cut wood to the charcoal production site, and the sorting and bagging of charcoal.

During the last quarter of FY 2019, the Project selected and initiated negotiations with an organization – in response to an RFP – to work with and accompany 150 street food vendors (machan manje kwit) consuming at lease 90kg of charcoal per week (equivalent to about 360 kg of wood based on traditional production methods) on their conversion from charcoal and traditional cookstoves to locally manufactured commercial LPG cookstoves. Such a conversion is expected to reduce energy costs for these food vendors by at least 17% and diminish their cooking time significantly, while contributing to improving the sanitary conditions of their operation. This activity will start during the first half of FY

2020. The Project also initiated the process to select another partner to facilitate the conversion of ten dry cleaners and bakeries using at least 300 kg of wood per week from fuelwood to LPG. These conversions of machan manje kwit and small businesses will help reduce demand for charcoal by an estimated 2,900 MT per year.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO RAISE AWARENESS ON THE THREATS TO

DEFORESTATION AND FOR LONG-TERM LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT

A population better informed on the risks associated with climate change and continuous deforestation and on the benefits of adaptation is key to fostering sustainable landscape management. Youth are the future, and in the present, they can influence their parents’ views and behavior towards the environment. Therefore, investing in youth environmental education will have long-term environmental impacts. Children are natural ambassadors and allies to raise awareness for the sound management of our natural resources, especially the country’s tree cover.

School children are key to improve natural resources management

Runame Fils-Aimé, the captain of the winning

Télégenie team said, “I have been in Ecole Nationale

Dereal since 2011. When our Headmaster announced that we would participate in the

Environmental Protection Contest TéléGénie, I was joyful and could not wait for the first match to take place. I loved the fact that prior to the games, we were provided coaches to work with us and train us.

I learned a lot and will share my new knowledge with others. We are happy as this context gave us the opportunity to show what we are worth. I can’t wait to see the next Edition and to become champion again.”

Exhibit 4: TéléGénie finale on World Environment Day 2019

PHOTO: Moralus Joseph, USAID Reforestation Project

11 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

In partnership with the Directorate of the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of National Education in the North, the Project organized an inter-school competition called TéléGénie to educate students on the importance of sound natural resource management. Sixteen schools from Quartier Morin, Milot, Plaine du Nord, and Limonade competed for four weeks on an eco-citizenship curriculum that covers the water cycle, climate change impacts, biodiversity protection, natural resources management, risk and disaster reduction, and the importance of reforestation. This program involved more than 240 students from fourth through sixth grades, and their teachers, school administrators and trainers. After a fiercely competitive finale with the students of Collège Baptiste

Eben-Ezer of Plaine du Nord, the students of Ecole

Nationale de Déréal of Limonade (Exhibits 4 and 5) won the competition. Based on the levels of commitment and responses from the students and their schools, in FY 2020 the Project will expand the program and curriculum to more schools and in the

Nord and Nord-Est departments.

Environmental education and awareness raising through the TéléGénie program and involvement of schools, schoolchildren and teachers in tree planting initiatives may help decrease the threats to deforestation over the long term as these sections of the populations have the potential for influencing their families and members of their respective communities in applying sound resource conservation practices.

DESIGNATED REFORESTATION AREAS

During the reporting period, the Project carried out a spatial analysis, comparing different sources of topographic data (DTM) from the National Center for Geospatial Information (CNIGS), in order to identify the actual surface areas covering slopes greater than 60%. This analysis led to a total area of approximately 34,600 ha, or 16% of the entire Project intervention area. Project staff is actively working with local authorities, watershed management committees and the regional offices of the Ministry of

Environment to select a fraction representing 2,000 hectares for reforestation.

In addition, Project staff collected data on existing springs located in the intervention area from which

170 ha of biological significance will be selected for preservation of the springs surroundings.

DEVELOPMENT OF LAND COVER MAPS AND IMPROVEMENT OF

METEOROLOGICAL NETWORKS

To setup the necessary tools for continuous monitoring of tree cover spatial dynamics and drivers of deforestation, an analysis of satellite imagery was carried out at the end of 2018, with the aim of producing data on land use. This analysis produced information corresponding to 12 categories of land use, as described in the table hereafter.

Exhibit 5: Dereal school’s captain, Runame Fils-Aimé, with the trophy

PHOTO: Moralus Joseph, USAID Reforestation Project

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 12

During FY2019, to expand the CNIGS and Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM) network and improve the rainfall database for better agriculture and disaster risk management related decisions, the Project worked with these two GOH institutions’ staff members and senior management to:

• complete an inventory of existing agrometeorological stations in its intervention areas;

• discuss on the potential partnership with the above institutions on the relevant specifications and the choice of weather station brands;

• launch the international procurement process to buy and install weather stations;

• validate the choice of sites where the stations would be installed through joint site visits with

CNIGS and UHM staff towards the end of the Fiscal Year.

Land use categories

Land cover classes Surface area (has) %

Barren 21,281.00 10.18

Agroforestry 41,803.50 20.00

Croplands 40,270.20 19.27

Open water 1,223.65 0.59

Forest 19,124.50 9.15

Dry forest/Savanna 17,259.90 8.26

Riverbed 2,347.05 1.12

Mangrove 4,458.24 2.13

Wetlands 515.42 0.25

Recreational / Sand 517.41 0.25

Pasture 53,533.90 25.62

Urban areas 6,646.65 3.18

Total 208,981.42 100

13 | USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT

RESULT 2: RESILIENCE TO ECONOMIC AND NATURAL SHOCKS

IMPROVED

FY 2019 was marked by long dry spells and erratic rainfall. The region experienced an unusually long dry period lasting from mid-April to mid-October 2019, with May and September being the driest. Exhibit 6 shows average rainfall variations in the Nord-Est for calendar year 2019, and the pattern of rainfall anomalies for the Nord is very similar.

With irrigation infrastructure almost nonexistent throughout the Project’s target areas, primary rain-fed economic activities in agriculture and livestock have significantly suffered, resulting in lost harvests for thousands of farmers and the death of over 3,000 heads of cattle from lack of food and water. The drought’s stress on the region has greatly reduced the acreage of land planted and the number of farmers who were able to apply the promoted improved agroforestry production practices.

Unemployment and poverty are key factors contributing to persistent and escalating environmental degradation across the Project’s target watersheds, pushing farmers to cut down trees for charcoal or construction as their only available source of revenue. Livestock managers, without forage available for their livestock, just let their herd openly graze on neighboring plots, destroying whatever plant materials they can reach.

Project activities this year contributed to strengthen capacities of community members and beneficiaries with assets and resources to build household resilience and improve agroforestry production in target areas, thereby increasing the odds that newly planted trees will survive. Focusing on the interrelationship between resilience and sustainable landscape management, the Project worked with its partners – sub-awardees, local authorities, and ministry representatives – to develop and implement income generating initiatives as part of or beyond agroforestry, agrosylvopastoral production.

THE PROJECT IS BUILDING CASH ASSETS AND FOSTERING FARMERS’ LONGER TERM

AGROFORESTRY INVESTMENTS

Tree planting campaigns have generated short-term jobs for thousands of people in areas with very few economic opportunities that are also highly exposed to economic and natural shocks. Through six subawards and thirteen MOUs for Direct Implementation (DI), and working with local organizations, associations, public and private sectors entities, faith-based organizations, local authorities and leaders, farmers and landowners, the Project contributed to livelihood monetary and non-monetary benefits for over 2,900 individuals (men and women). Besides the revenues generated from increased agricultural production – some of them invested in livestock – the DI kombit members who operate the nurseries, prepare transplantation sites, transport and transplant tree seedlings earned $135,372 in cash this Fiscal

Year from the Project. Tree seedlings transportation and procurement of inputs for tree planting brought

$165,797 in revenues for more than a hundred of local small and micro businesses. This provided many families with the opportunity to cope with the economic and nutritional stresses caused by the disruption of the agricultural calendar and the socio-political unrest across the implementation areas.

The Project has worked with its sub-awardees and other partners to promote agroforestry and agrosylvopastoral production systems as medium and long-term investments for their communities.

Small holder farmers interested in agroforestry and agrosylvopastoral production were facilitated access

Exhibit 6: CY 2019 - Rainfall anomaly in the Nord-Est

USAID REFORESTATION PROJECT, FY2019 REPORT | 14

to some staple and cash crop seeds, forage planting materials, and technical assistance to create sustenance and revenue while the trees mature. Staple and cash crop seeds like pineapple, yam, pigeon peas and black eye peas, were provided based on the season, soil type, benef iciaries’ needs, as well as their nutritional and cash values. The Project and its local partners supported 6,596 individuals to increase production for improved food security, accompanying 3,208 farmers to apply Project-promoted improved agricultural management practices, especially in terms of agroforestry and agrosylvopastoral production. This led to 992 hectares of land to be utilized with improved technologies and management practices in comparison to the Fiscal Year’s target of 869 hectares. The success of this approach, which brought much needed additional income to

Project-supported farmers, has motivated some neighboring farmers to copy and repeat the

Project’s promoted practices on their own plots, opening the doors for Project technicians and sub-grantees to reach additional beneficiaries. Women have been champions for change in some communities, key to the Project’s plan to facilitate the renovation and rehabilitation of Jaden Lakou as small scale-agroforestry within women-headed households.

Exhibit 7: Beekeeping materials and equipment for improved beekeeping management in Terrier Rouge.

PHOTO: Dade OTILIEN, USAID Reforestation Project

Women leadership brings incomes to a family of 12

Back in July 2019, Pierrilia Jean’s farm plot was infested with insects and her crops were at risk of being completely destroyed. Pierrilia, a member and tree nursery assistant of

Groupement Agricole d’Ouvray (GAO), had participated in several Project-funded or organized training sessions, including integrated pest management and agroforestry production. Under Project’s sub-grant to CASB (Centre d’Agriculture Saint Barnabas), in addition to the trees planted, she received pigeon peas seeds and pineapple cuttings, among others, as well as technical assistance to establish an agroforestry system on her plot. She used her newly acquired knowledge in conjunction with Project’s assistance to not only save her crop, but to have a flourishing plot, thereby securing food for her family and generating much needed income for the household. A mother of 7 and grandmother of 3, she used her revenue to buy peanut, okra, corn, and black-eyed pea seeds for next season to intercrop among the trees. “I never knew that I could reforest an area and use the space between the trees in such an efficient way to feed my family and bring home some income. Thanks to the USAID

Reforestation Project, I have learned good agroforestry practices that allow me to contribute to have so many trees while making profit from agriculture” says Pierrilia.

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The Project continued to work with its partners on the promotion of improved beekeeping management for both increased revenue and improved management of woodlots. As part of sub-award, CASB trained 24 beekeepers, seven of them women, in Terrier-Rouge on best practices for production, extraction, and storage of honey. The region has strong beekeeping potential given the natural proliferation of melliferous plants, the existence of apiculture organizations that can be strengthened or serve as entry points for new beekeepers, and beneficial climatic conditions such as lower than average rainfall and above average temperatures. The practical sessions were conducted in the apiary of an experienced beekeeper in the community.

The Project supported CASB in developing the management plan for the central apiary that will be established on CASB campus and the 20 other individual apiaries that will be rehabilitated under the

CASB sub-award. The materials for these apiaries were also distributed (exhibit 7). The apiaries will be established next Fiscal Year, and the central one will serve as model demonstration apiculture farm for students and farmers training.

COLLABORATION WITH GOVERNMENT AND AMONG STAKEHOLDERS

STRENGTHENS CAPACITIES

Two sub-awardee partner organizations APAPANNE and Institution Univers were linked to the sub-watershed management committees (SWMCs) covering their respective areas of intervention: Capotille and Gens de Nantes/Savanne Longue. The SWMCs include almost exclusively municipal and communal sections’ authorities. These subawards were executed before the development and accomplishment of the management plans had been completed and it was important for Project’s staff to ensure that the partners’ activities aligned with the plans designed through a thorough and collaborative process and then validated by the communities. The impact of the coordination effort was quickly visible as all the stakeholders involved developed a new working relationship where none existed prior. Furthermore, the six local partner organizations benefiting from Project’s subgrants created a coordination group and organized monthly technical meeting aiming at sharing experiences and lessons learned. During the year, three technical meetings were held to discuss cross-cutting topics such as gender and inclusion, environmental compliance and the challenges encountered in leading the activities.

Project’s promotion of improved agroforestry production and drought adaptation techniques led to an unforeseen problem: heavy pest infestation of farmers’ agroforestry plots, especially in Terrier

Rouge. With fewer acreage and plots planted due to the prolonged drought, pests invaded and concentrated on the very few plots planted with

Project’s assistance and support. Project’s staff, led by the environmental compliance specialist, diligently called upon and benefitted from the technical expertise of the phytosanitary technicians of the Ministry of

Agriculture in the northern region (DDA-N and DDA-

NE) to identify the pests. In strict compliance with the relevant Project’s EMMPs, the infestation was contained within 3 weeks through a combination of manual control and the applications of Neem oil. This resulted in very successful yields and harvests for most of the beneficiary farmers.

APAPANNE’s coordination with authorities to build community assets

Sub-awardee APAPANNE worked closely with local authorities and ministry representatives in the design and selection of tree-planting and seasonal crops production including plantains, yam and pineapple.

These partners committed themselves to emphasize to their constituents that natural resource management is an economic opportunity.

In 9 months, APAPANNE trained over 450 farmers in improved agroforestry and woodlots management, environmental education, climate change and pastureland management, and accompanied them to apply the promoted technical packages in their plots.

According to a beneficiary of APAPANNE’s subgrant, Nazilia Charles, a widow who is over 60 years old, "these agroforestry production techniques have changed my life to a point I have not thought possible.

I worked in the nursery which allowed me to start a small gas business”. Despite recurring economic stresses in the country, APAPANNE, managed to exceed close to 150% of its tree planting target for the year.

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The Project organized an exchange visit in the commune of Milot at the Emari Botanical Garden with fifteen farmers, direct beneficiaries of the subawards and five representatives of the subawardees. This visit offered participants the opportunity to discuss challenges encountered when managing ligneous resources, including recurring costs of operating and managing woodlots. It helped them identify strategies to decrease costs and commercialize by-products like ornamental grasses and plant-based specialty drinks. It also provided them the opportunity to discuss interactions between species on the same plot, thereby providing participants with new knowledge to better manage agroforestry systems and woodlots.

IMPROVING LIVESTOCK HEALTH DURING DRY SEASONS THROUGH FORAGE

PRODUCTION AND PASTURE MANAGEMENT

The availability of forage is an essential element for the breeding of herbivores and animal production, a major income and food security resource in the region. The drought has affected most cattle producers, resulting in the death of over 3,000 head of cattle, and causing thousands more animals to be under-nourished and in poor health, due to the lack of proper animal feed and water scarcity caused annually by drought. This constitutes a very important source of decapitalization for agricultural farms and hence, drought, although not the only constraint, represents the major challenge for animal production in the area. To rapidly help address this feed problem, prevent over-grazing and destruction of tree cover, and build capacities for increased resilience to prolonged drought and erratic rainfall, the Project, through the

Direct Intervention approach, trained over 250 livestock farmers (including 97 women) in forage, hay and silage production, including choice of adapted plant species, harvesting, feeding and storage. To help expand the forage production program, the Project worked in partnership with the directorates of agriculture for the Nord and the Nord-Est, Université Henry Christophe de Limonade and various agro-pastoralist associations to establish 15 hectares of forage production and demonstration plots across six communes (Ouanaminthe, Ferrier, Limonade, Terrier-Rouge, Trou du Nord and Grande Riviere du

Nord). This will make forage cuttings available to more farmers next season. In FY 2020, the Project will assist the CRDD and selected partners to build long-term stocks of quality forage seeds and cuttings,and make them available to growers and livestock farmers at affordable prices.

The demonstration and multiplication plots feature rows of planted tree forage species such as moringa and Gliricida sepium, with forage grass species such as elephant grass, Guinea grass and pangola grass, and velvet bean planted in-between the rows. The associations also confer on food and high-value crops that can be multi-cropped with forage, as part of the agrosylvopastoral production packages promoted by the Project. The activity has been received with enthusiasm from small holder farmers involved with establishing the demonstration plots, and many are requesting seeds to produce forage on their own plots. By the end of the fiscal year, over a hundred of the trainees started to produce and store hay for their personal use and to sell to other livestock farmers. Coaching interested beneficiaries to create micro or small enterprises farther up the forage value chain in FY2020 will help diversify livelihoods and increase the availability of livestock feed during droughts. This forage production program is also expected to contribute to reduce the practice of open grazing.

The activities to promote forage production and conservation developed by the Project contribute to improving the availability of animal feed for increase in livestock zootechnical performance. This will also allow access to fodder for the herbivorous herd in times of drought for a reduction in livestock losses.

Income generation through hay production

Some farmers are recognizing the preparation of hay bales as a business opportunity. A farmer from Limonade-based association

APWOLIM was the first to start such a business following his attendance at a training on the process of making hay and silage as a technique for managing and conserving forage in times of abundance. Hay bale presents the best opportunity for livestock farmers to process and store the forage to be used during the dry season.

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Basically, these interventions contribute to mitigating the impacts of forage shortages caused by prolonged drought, improving livestock raising, hence bringing better economic profitability for agro-pastoralists.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION FOR LONG-TERM AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH AND

EXTENSION BY EXPANDING THE CRDD NETWORK

The network of Centres Ruraux de Développement Durable (CRDDs) are a legacy of USAID/Haiti’s

Feed the Future Project, with six CRDDs currently operational conducting applied research, and providing extension services and training in new technologies and innovations to farmers. None exist in the North and Northeast regions for the testing, demonstration and the promotion of improved agroforestry technologies and practices. To respond to that need, and as part of its exit and resilience strategy, the Project is building on the over 25 years of existence and experience of the centre pour l’agriculture Saint Barnabas (CASB) to establish a CRDD on CASB’s campus in Terrier Rouge. Building on its ongoing subgrant with CASB, the Project developed an action plan for the creation of the CRDD.

This year, the Project reached an agreement with Université Episcopale d’Haiti (UNEPH) – CASB’s parent institution – and the CASB for the allocation of a 5-hectare area of land on CASB’s campus to establish the CRDD. The Project also hired a short-term consultant to work with the CRDD’s coordinator, CASB and other relevant partners to finalize the strategy to establish the CRDD. This activity will continue in FY2020 with the drafting of the governing statutes, creation of the Board of

Directors, and development of a management plan, operation manual, and initial workplan and budget for the CRDD. Led by a board of directors that will include the CASB, regional universities, and local stakeholders, the CRDD‘s priority areas of intervention will include strengthening agroforestry systems, modernizing apicultural production, and improving livestock management practices.

Toward the end of the fiscal year, the Project has also issued an RFQ for the installation of the physical facilities to house the CRDD, which will be co-financed by the CASB support group (CSG) – a recently established 501c3 organization to fund raise for CASB in the US.

PROMISING START TO STRENGTHENING MARKET SYSTEMS AROUND AGROFORESTRY

PRODUCTS

Efforts to develop processing and marketing activities for non-wood forest products (processed agricultural products, packaged and/or processed bee products) were initiated in FY2019. Several local organizations involved in the value chain like CAJBC (Cooperative Agricole Jean Baptiste Chavannes) have benefited from guidance and training on practical hygiene measures and branding techniques to improve their offer. Some actors such as CAJBC, FECCANO (Fédération des Coopératives Cacaoyères du Nord), VIAHSA and APWOLIM (Association des Producteurs de lait de Limonade), have received the support of the Project to participate in local fairs, such as the agricultural fairs of Ouanaminthe and

Terrier Rouge, and other promotional activities, including exchanges with other actors in the Dominican

Republic. Efforts are also underway to improve the coffee and cocoa sector through the promotion of technically appropriate agroforestry systems. The Project worked with FECCANO on the development of a sub-award to increase tree cover on 1,000 hectares in Grande Rivière du Nord, Milot, Bahon and

Plaine du Nord, and improve cocoa-based agroforestry production. Submitted to USAID’s approval in

May, up to end of the Fiscal Year this sub-award was not approved. It also worked with RECOCARNO

(Réseau des Coopératives Caféières de la Région du Nord) on a sub-award to increase 723 hectares of tree cover in Vallières, Sainte Suzanne, Mont-Organisé and Milot and improve coffee-based agroforestry production the target area.