Back in the 60s, when Haiti was still known as the “Pearl of the Antilles,” Haitian families successfully grew coconuts everywhere around the countryside. They were grown for their tasty meat, coconut oil for cooking, and their beneficial “coconut water.” Growing and selling coconuts was an easy “business” for many Haitians. Their coconut crop was like their reliable bank account, often providing the money needed to send their children to school and keep food on their tables. But then around 2000, a parasite began to devastate the coconut plantations in Haiti, greatly depressing the “coconut economy.” However, improved varieties of coconuts can now grow in Haiti once again, affording coconut growers a sustainable livelihood.
Wilner and the ATC (Agricultural Training Center) staff started a coconut tree project for us about 4 years ago by buying 125 “coconut seeds” (simply coconuts promoted to be sprouted) with money provided by a donor who regularly supports our sustainability programs. The coconuts sprouted easily and now are bearing many coconuts for the children who love them. We use the Kalpasree “Damien” variety because they are low-growing and bear 50-100 coconuts per year, for more than 80 years!
In these pictures, you see the “coconut seeds” being prepared to sprout and sprouted “seeds” ready for planting. We also gave many of the young trees to farmers in other villages to help revive the coconut economy around Haiti. Many rural people sell mangos in local markets, but there are so many mangos and mango “marchands” (merchants) that they only get about 5 gourdes each, but a good ripe coconut can sell for 6-7 times that amount. Our new coconut project is providing the basis for many new coconut farmers to have a sustainable income. Donors whose gifts support our sustainability projects give a gift that continues giving for generations to come. This coconut tree project is part of our “edible plant nursery” where we demonstrate how to provide food and income from edible plants. This is “food for a lifetime.”
Rad Hazelip, Assistant Executive Director