Improved Seeds
Quality Protein Maize

Tree Crops
Mango
Avocado
Citrus
Bamboo
Grafting

Vegetable & Tuber Crops
Tissue Culture
and Minisetting

Economic Gains

Nutritional Benefits

Agricultural Education

Protection of the Environment

Benefits from the Improved Crop Program The highest revenue crops are commercial fruit trees such as export quality Mme Francique mangoes, late season Choquette avocados and the Jacmel variety mandarins. Income generated by these commercial varieties are strikingly higher than from low quality fruit and forestry trees, which derive little value as wood. Selected vegetable crops offer considerably higher than average income for the farmers. The income from staple crops, which represent an essential element of the national diet and farming system, is greatly enhanced by the use of the improved seed.
	Comparison of farmgate values: improved and traditional crops
Fruit Crops: Mme Francique mangoes are Haiti's leading export crop, earning farmers exceptionally high income. Together with selected avocados and citrus varieties they are a highly rewarding way of nurturing the environment. Export quality mangoes, out-of-season avocados and mandarins are some of Haiti's most lucrative crops, earning up to $100 a year per tree. The international market for tropical fruits is far from saturated - so fruit trees offer an interesting economical solution to the country's degraded environment. The economic value of the fruit guarantee long-term beneficial effects on the environment for many decades to come.
	Cost-benefit analysis: commercial mango trees
Improved Staple Crop Seeds: Improved staple crops such as locally adapted hybrid corn out-yield traditional material by three to one. Improved corn, beans and sorghum seeds, selected for disease resistance, with high germination rates, make the difference between subsistence farming and profitability. Field trials have demonstrated significant yield increases, resulting better income for the farmers. Using traditional seeds under rainfed conditions a farmer pays US $150 to plant a hectare of land with corn, but the crop only sells for $169, representing a profit of 13%. Improved seeds costs US $160 to plant, but the crops sells for $240, which provide a reasonable 50% profit.
	Yield comparison: improved and traditional staple crops seeds
Vegetable Crops: Seasonal crops such as hot peppers offer high returns in a short time-frame. Good seeds, improved cultivation technique, adherence to international pesticide norms, and market linkage are the keys to successful and sustainable production. Hot peppers can earn farmers up to $0.30 per lb. Onions, shallots, squash, winter vegetables and oriental vegetables are all crops that earn higher than average incomes when production and market conditions are favorable.

Top of Page

Home

Economic Gains

Nutritional Benefits

Agricultural Education

Protection of the Environment