Just a couple of months ago Aimer Haiti and I met with Agronome Noel (“Agronomist Noel”), one of Haiti’s leading agronomists. You cannot imagine the determination and drive that this man and his wife have for their country and the need to rebuild the agricultural industry. We dreamt of the possibilities sitting around the table of an office building that was completely destroyed in the earthquake. He showed us the book that he has written on how to rebuild agriculture in Haiti. We talked about the need for a master land plan for the island. Over time, the lower flat lands that are prime for agricultural production have been used for housing and has wrecked havoc on the natural drainage ways. We talked about how important this step is, but how difficult it would be to implement since it would require huge changes. It now represents one of the hidden opportunities in the horrors of the earthquake.
After several hours of invigorating discussion, which left our minds swimming with ideas and possibilities, Agronome Noel invited us to visit his farm. Fifteen years ago, he turned his frustration with politics into action and wanted us to see first hand what he had created. So, that was that, three of us were going to Jacmel for the weekend! This was huge treat for me, as I knew that agriculture would be a large part of the success equation for Haiti. For decades, Haiti had been given the well-intended advice to buy their food on the global markets and instead build factories to manufacture clothing. That strategy failed when world food prices rose dramatically and no one was interested in building factories in a logistically difficult place like Haiti when they have options like Mexico, Brazil, India and China. It was simply bad advice that millions paid the price for. A country should be able to feed itself. It cuts the risk of being subject to the large fluctuations in world food prices, it provides jobs, and for a tropical country like Haiti it can produce significant exports. But more importantly, it provides a sense of pride and accomplishment for its people.
Agronome Noel and his wife Nani purchased 15 hectares of dried up and barren land in Jacmel 15 years ago that was considered useless, for what amounted to a few hundred dollars. He told the community he was going to grow wonderful and rich fruits and vegetables. Many laughed at him and from that point on he was known as the “crazy agronomist”. He did not mind because he knew that some years down the road he would prove his point, and he did. Though at this point, I am not sure the fate of the Agronomist and his wife. They spent most of their time during the week working in Port au Prince in order to fund their farming operation in Jacmel.
Three of us from Aimer Haiti spent a weekend with the Noels on their farm in Jacmel. We stayed in the beautiful home they have been building for 3 years that was to eventually to become their retirement home and a bed and breakfast. I suspect it is no longer standing. The 3 hour drive from Port au Prince took us on a journey through the slums where all the garbage eventually collects after the rains, over broken roadways still not completely repaired from the hurricanes, and up through a gorgeous mountainous region. Despite some barren areas, there is still enough vegetation in the mountains that you can see and feel its natural beauty. The roads in the mountains were actually quite good and we past many small farmers bundling their harvests ready for the trip down the mountains that more often than not ended in spoiled produce before it reached a market.
We arrived at the farm in Jacmel after dark. The only light we had was from the cars we were driving and a small generator powering a couple of light bulbs in the house. We sat on the porch facing the ocean enamored with just how striking the stars are when you are so close to the equator and there is very little artificial light. We drank, we ate, we laughed, and we continually talked and dreamt of the possibilities for Haiti. The energy of hope and passion was strong in the air and it felt good to me. You cannot spend time in Haiti and not fall in love with the land, the people, and its spirit. It does not matter how much other heartbreak and sadness you witness, in Haiti love always wins. I am certain this is why the Clintons have remained so committed to this tiny country after all these years.
The sun arrives early near the equator; at 5:30 am in Haiti. The breeze from the sea is not as strong as I expected. Nor is the sound of the waves crashing against the 3-meter wall of rock down to the sea just 30 yards from the back porch of this large, half finished house in Jacmel. I am a lover of all sunrises, so there was no way I was going to miss this. The sun arrived on time, but shielded for some time by a large cloud. Soon, Agronome Noel was with me preparing for the day while everyone else still slept. I heard goats on the adjacent property and asked if he had any. He pointed to one goat off in the distance tied to a rock and told me that today would be the goat’s last day. Sure enough, about an hour later he and two others went out to meet the goat. And by the end of the day, well . . . we were eating goat stew.
A ball of fire finally burst from beneath the cloud and its rays reached far and wide as we quickly move from a shadowy sunrise to the full-fledge beginning of a new day. What a peaceful and gorgeous place I had awoken to, now that I could see everything. How could anyone have ever considered this land a lost cause?
When the Noels began 15 years ago with a plot of dry barren land, there was no road, no access to water, no electricity, and no soil. For the crazy agronomist, these weren’t problems, just things to be done. On weekends and holidays, with the help of a few farm hands that live on the property, they began the transformation by hand. There are no big machines and no tractors, just simple hand tools. They trucked in water and topsoil and began to build the tree canopy. You see, first you must create enough of a canopy to cool, shelter, and nourish the soil below. Once the canopy began to work it’s magic they were able to plant the tender topical plants and fruit bearing trees. They have bananas, cocoa, coconuts, mandarins, figs, papayas, and almond trees. At least those are the ones I can remember. The barren land was transformed into a tropic forest full of agricultural treasures in a few short years.
I will never forget the day I woke up in Jacmel!
