1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Technology

Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Technology (if relevant)

Swiss Red Cross (Swiss Red Cross) - Switzerland

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Declaration on sustainability of the described Technology

Is the Technology described here problematic with regard to land degradation, so that it cannot be declared a sustainable land management technology?

No

2.1 Short description of the Technology

Definition of the Technology:

Agroforestry is a way of incorporating agricultural land combining trees and crops and / or livestock. The technology increases and diversifies production, generating social, economic and environmental benefits. In addition, planted around houses, trees offer hurricane protection.

2.2 Detailed description of the Technology

Description:

Agroforestry systems in Haiti are traditional land use practices characterised by a multi-storey arrangement of tall native trees, fruit species at various heights and a range of perennial and annual crops below. In Léogâne, large agroforestry systems are reduced to areas on less sun-exposed and more humid north-facing slopes. They are often agro-silvo-pastoralist systems, since while land users take their animals into small forests for grazing, their cattle also feed on old banana stems. In return, animal manure fertilizes the soil. In order to implement this technology, land users plant fruit trees and cash crops in the understorey of conserved, mature trees, e.g. Samanea saman, a popular tree for agroforestry, as its characteristic umbrella shape protects the crops underneath from sun damage. The most common crops used for agroforestry in Léogâne are yam, mango, breadfruit, banana, pomelo and papaya. This system also provides an excellent environment for the cash crops of coffee and cacao. There is no particular layout in which agroforestry systems are established, but the trees and crops are equally distributed. For maintenance, land users remove weeds that compete with the crops, replace old trees/ crops with new ones (e.g. coffee bushed are replaced every 20 years) and distribute the banana suckers (lateral shoot that emerges from the soil usually near the parent plant).
Agroforestry systems combine economy with ecology. They enable the cultivation of edible products while at the same time conserving natural resources. In contrast to weeded/ ploughed crops (predominately found on sunnier and drier south-facing slopes), agroforestry mitigates soil erosion when applied on slopes. The vegetation cover hinders soil compaction and improves rainwater infiltration. Therefore, agroforestry reduces runoff, replenishes groundwater and improves the quantity and quality of springs. Moreover, agroforestry protects villages and cropland downstream from floods, landslides and siltation. Land users appreciate this technology for its great diversity of products, year-round harvest and the income of cash crops. However, land users are often troubled by the time required before receiving benefits from the first harvest from the trees. This is often the hindering factor for out-scaling this technology.

2.3 Photos of the Technology

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Technology has been applied and which are covered by this assessment

2.6 Date of implementation

If precise year is not known, indicate approximate date:

• more than 50 years ago (traditional)

2.7 Introduction of the Technology

Specify how the Technology was introduced:

• as part of a traditional system (> 50 years)

Comments (type of project, etc.):

Before having all cleared, Haitians frequently cultivated using agroforestry systems.

3.1 Main purpose(s) of the Technology

• improve production
• reduce, prevent, restore land degradation
• conserve ecosystem
• protect a watershed/ downstream areas – in combination with other Technologies
• preserve/ improve biodiversity
• reduce risk of disasters
• create beneficial economic impact

3.2 Current land use type(s) where the Technology is applied

Land use mixed within the same land unit:

Yes

Specify mixed land use (crops/ grazing/ trees):

• Agro-silvopastoralism

3.3 Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

Has land use changed due to the implementation of the Technology?

• No (Continue with question 3.4)

3.4 Water supply

Water supply for the land on which the Technology is applied:

• rainfed

3.5 SLM group to which the Technology belongs

• agroforestry
• improved ground/ vegetation cover
• ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction

3.6 SLM measures comprising the Technology

Comments:

M1: from forest to agroforestry, afforestation

3.7 Main types of land degradation addressed by the Technology

3.8 Prevention, reduction, or restoration of land degradation

Specify the goal of the Technology with regard to land degradation:

• prevent land degradation

4.1 Technical drawing of the Technology

4.2 General information regarding the calculation of inputs and costs

Specify how costs and inputs were calculated:

• per Technology area

other/ national currency (specify):

HTG

If relevant, indicate exchange rate from USD to local currency (e.g. 1 USD = 79.9 Brazilian Real): 1 USD =:

62.0

4.3 Establishment activities

	Activity	Timing (season)
1.	Plant fruit / forest trees around the house, if there are already some, all the better.	March / April (before big rainy season)
2.	Plant crops between the trees	March / April (before big rainy season)

4.4 Costs and inputs needed for establishment

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour	person-days	10.0	200.0	2000.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Equipment	Pickaxe	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Equipment	Machete	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Plant material	Banana tree	cutting	10.0	75.0	750.0	100.0
Plant material	Cacao tree seeds	milk powder tin	0.25	500.0	125.0	100.0
Plant material	Coffee tree seeds	milk powder tin	0.25	500.0	125.0	100.0
Plant material	Coconut tree	cutting	3.0	500.0	1500.0	100.0
Plant material	Mango tree	cutting	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Plant material	Papaya tree	cutting	3.0	30.0	90.0	100.0
Other	Coffee for labourers	cup	10.0	25.0	250.0	100.0
Other						11.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology					4955.0
Total costs for establishment of the Technology in USD					79.92

Comments:

Labour: the land users are organized in so-called Konbits, a form of traditional organization of work built around a philosophy based on the bases of mutual aid and the living together of the peasants. The participants in a Konbit do not expect anything from the harvest to which they contributed. The process is completely altruistic, the organizer of the Konbit can offer something as compensation, but the essence of Konbit is the service. In Léogâne the organizer of the Konbit normally offers a cup of coffee per day worked.

Land users have the necessary tools (the 5 HTGs are budgeted as compensation cost for using their own tools).

4.5 Maintenance/ recurrent activities

	Activity	Timing/ frequency
1.	Weeding during the first 2 years	First 2x a year and after 2 years only when necessary (about 1 once a year)
2.	Harvest	throughout the year
3.	Cut banana trunks to give cattle	throughout the year
4.	Plant new fruit trees	March / April, frequency depends on the plant

Comments:

During the first 2 years, it is necessary weed. Afterwards, when the trees have grown and there is enough shade, there will almost no weed.

4.6 Costs and inputs needed for maintenance/ recurrent activities (per year)

	Specify input	Unit	Quantity	Costs per Unit	Total costs per input	% of costs borne by land users
Labour	Labour for maintenance	person-days	50.0	200.0	10000.0	100.0
Equipment	Machete	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Equipment	Hoe	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Equipment	Pickaxe	pieces	1.0	5.0	5.0	100.0
Plant material	Cacao tree (economic lifetime +/- 20yrs)	milk powder tin	0.5	500.0	250.0	100.0
Plant material	Coffee tree (economic lifetime +/- 20yrs)	milk powder tin	0.5	500.0	250.0	100.0
Plant material	Papaya tree (economic lifetime +/- 4yrs)	cutting	3.0	30.0	90.0	100.0
Plant material	Coconut tree (economic lifetime +/- 15-60yrs)	cutting	3.0	500.0	1500.0	100.0
Plant material	Mango tree (economic lifetime >100yrs)	cutting	1.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology					12205.0
Total costs for maintenance of the Technology in USD					196.85

Comments:

Depending on the crops, there is no need to buy new ones: bananas, for instance, makes seedlings and a mango tree has an economic lifetime of more than 100 years.
Land users have the necessary tools (the 5 HTGs are budgeted as compensation cost for using their own tools).
on de leurs propres outils).

4.7 Most important factors affecting the costs

Describe the most determinate factors affecting the costs:

The price of seeds: If some seeds from the last harvest are kept, there is no need to buy (many) new ones the next season. The price of the seeds varies seasonally. At the time of the harvest prices are low, and in March (beginning of the planting season), they are higher. By planting crops that regrow every season or trees with a long economic life, money can be saved on the cost of seeds.

If the land users take care of their tools, they can last up to 6 years.

5.1 Climate

5.2 Topography

Indicate if the Technology is specifically applied in:

• not relevant

Comments and further specifications on topography:

Agroforestry systems do not depend on topography.

5.3 Soils

5.4 Water availability and quality

Is water salinity a problem?

No

Is flooding of the area occurring?

No

5.5 Biodiversity

5.6 Characteristics of land users applying the Technology

Indicate other relevant characteristics of the land users:

Normally the women do the harvest. People of all ages help.

5.7 Average area of land used by land users applying the Technology

5.8 Land ownership, land use rights, and water use rights

Land ownership:

• individual, not titled

Land use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

Water use rights:

• open access (unorganized)
• communal (organized)

5.9 Access to services and infrastructure

6.1 On-site impacts the Technology has shown

Socio-economic impacts

Production

Water availability and quality

Income and costs

Socio-cultural impacts

Ecological impacts

Water cycle/ runoff

Soil

Biodiversity: vegetation, animals

Climate and disaster risk reduction

6.2 Off-site impacts the Technology has shown

6.3 Exposure and sensitivity of the Technology to gradual climate change and climate-related extremes/ disasters (as perceived by land users)

Climate-related extremes (disasters)

Meteorological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
tropical storm	well
local rainstorm	well

Climatological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
drought	well

Hydrological disasters

	How does the Technology cope with it?
landslide	very well

Comments:

Hard to say if seasonal precipitation increases or decreases. However, they vary more strongly than before.

6.4 Cost-benefit analysis

How do the benefits compare with the establishment costs (from land users’ perspective)?

How do the benefits compare with the maintenance/ recurrent costs (from land users' perspective)?

6.5 Adoption of the Technology

• single cases/ experimental

Of all those who have adopted the Technology, how many did so spontaneously, i.e. without receiving any material incentives/ payments?

• 91-100%

6.6 Adaptation

Has the Technology been modified recently to adapt to changing conditions?

No

6.7 Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities of the Technology

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Year-round production
Diversity of production
Increased income through cash crops (coffee, cocoa)

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Conservation of biodiversity
Creation of microclimate
CO2 sequestration
Soil and water conservation
Protecting homes against strong winds
Protection of downstream areas from flooding and siltation

6.8 Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks of the Technology and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view	How can they be overcome?
The first harvest is late.	This is a big challenge because land users in the area live from hand to mouth. This can be overcome by planting fruit or forest tree seedlings when implementing progressive terraces with vetiver hedges (see documented technology in WOCAT database). In this way, the land user can plant and harvest other crops while waiting for the trees to grow.

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view	How can they be overcome?
Difficult to convince land users because the benefits are rather in the long-term.	It’s necessary to raise the land users’ awareness on all the benefits of this technology.

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

7.3 Links to relevant online information

Title/ description:

Ethicable (2013): Pourquoi nous soutenons l'agroforesterie.

URL:

http://www.ethiquable.coop/page-dactualites-mag/pourquoi-nous-soutenons-lagroforesterie

Title/ description:

Policy Brief: Productive and protective land management – reducing disastrous floods and saving springs in Haiti Author: Eichenberger J, Liniger HP, Year: 2020

URL:

https://www.wocat.net/en/projects-and-countries/projects/onsite-and-offsite-benefits-sustainable-land-management/haiti

Title/ description:

Video: Productive and protective land management – reducing disastrous floods and saving springs in Haiti Author: Eichenberger J, Liniger HP, Year: 2020

URL:

https://vimeo.com/429957516