Mission
Statement: ORE is working to improve environmental,
agricultural and economic conditions in rural Haiti. Our development
projects involve high revenue tree crops, improved seeds, cash crops
and marketing programs. Working directly with farmers, we are able to
provide practical solutions to deforestation and subsistence farming.
We offer commercial quality plant materials and the technical assistance
needed for successful production and marketing.
ORE's
CORE PROJECTS
The key goals of
our development projects in Haiti are to increase farmer income, produce
nutritionally enhanced food, and to improve the environment with commercial
fruit trees. Practical agricultural training and hands-on technical
assistance are essential means to achieve these goals. The three core
development projects we have developed to achieve these goals are
improved seeds, high value tree crops, and vegetable
and tuber crops.
ORE
is also involved in variety of activities designed to improve the
quality of life in rural Haiti. These include protection of drinking
water systems, promoting schools and low cost housing projects in
areas threatened by environmental degradation.
VIABLE
SOLUTIONS FOR THE NEEDY
In a country where acute poverty, outmoded agriculture and widespread
deforestation go hand in hand, solutions have to offer both economic
and environmental benefits.
By promoting fruit trees, such as mango, avocado and citrus, and bamboo,
experience shows that in time communities start to protect their trees
because of the attractive revenue they generate. The grafting program
helps to boost Haiti's mango export industry and extend the avocado
season. Bamboo are a renewable source of material for construction
and handicrafts.
By providing improved seeds, and offering production and marketing
assistance, we are able to help the farmers replace subsistence farming
with commercially successful agriculture.
PROGRAM
GOALS The
Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment is a small grassroots
organization established in Haiti in 1985 to protect the environment and
increase local farmers' income. In the design of our development projects,
we recognize that all four aspects of Haiti's rural predicament - economic,
ecological, nutritional and technical - are inter-linked. By working closely
with farmer groups, over the years, we have been able to offer practical
help to the rural population in the south of Haiti, the majority of whom
depend on agriculture for their livelihood. Economic gains and improved
nutrition result from high value tree crops (grafted fruit trees, such as
mango, avocado, citrus - and bamboo), improved seeds (including QPM maize,
iron-rich beans) and other high-yield staple crops. The challenge is to
expand on the experience and technical capabilities developed and achieve
a widespread impact.
Economic Gains
through higher yield crops, intensifying and stabilizing production,
and energetic marketing strategies
Improved Nutrition
through research and production of quality-protein maize (QPM),
iron-rich beans and extended fruit seasons by grafting selected
varieties.
Agricultural Education
through propagation, production and post-harvest training sessions,
and hands-on technical assistance in the field.
Environmental Protection
through promotion of commercial tree crops, soil conservation measures
and the use of cover crops to combat deforestation.
Since 1985, the
Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment
has developed and operated fruit tree grafting and crop improvement programs
in rural Haiti.
During those years several international agencies have generously provided
the funding that made it possible to maintain continuity of our development
projects. These include USAID, the European Union, the Canadian Embassy,
Inter-American Development Bank and other contributors.
