Welcome to DOXA Agriculture (DOXAAG)!

 

We are pleased to report that the first wave of seedling distribution and planting in Lascahobas took place on Monday March 24, 2014. Several people from the diaspora, especially from the US, responded positively to our call and came in to receive their free seedlings to plant on their own properties in the city. By all accounts, the participants were both satisfied and excited - satisfied with what they could receive, and excited with what this effort represents and may become in the near future. Among the species that we distributed we count mango, cocoa, orange, and cedar. But that’s not all. Even after this scheduled distribution, people in the community continue to come frequently to see Daniel Pierre (Met Dan), the coordinator of this program, to receive seedlings as often as they desire. While this constant distribution is taking place, arrangements are being made for the grand event of May 1 when a large parade will take place followed by distribution and planting. At that time, the Scouts will work again with us in the city. There is also another youth organization that decided to participate in this annual event for the very first time with us. We welcome this collaboration as it indicates that our reforestation campaign is gaining grown in the community, which will transform the way people view and manage their immediate environment. DOXAAG is making progress and we thank the Lord for using us in this wonderful way.

                                                           ______________________________________________________

 

As DFI's agricultural division, DOXAAG will focus its efforts on small farmers living in Haiti's rural areas. Due to the fragile nature of such agricultural systems, assistance will be provided in these four (4) areas:
 

• Agricultural Inputs. Generally small farmers travel long distances to purchase the equipments and tools needed to run their operations. DoxaAg will identify ways to make these inputs more readily accessible, either through a local store/shop or by helping qualified farmers with some of their expenses.

 

• Farming Systems. Ways to improve existing farming systems will be explored with each farmer who participates in the program. Although general guidelines will be developed, a case by case approach will help farmers make the choices that work best for them.

 

• New Crops. DoxaAg will help farmers identify new crops or potential new uses for existing crops. In particular, production of fruits and vegetables will be initiated and encouraged when such practices do not yet exist.

 

• The Environment. Haiti's topography makes it highly vulnerable to erosion because roughly 3/4 of the land consists of hills, valleys and high mountains. DoxaAg will help farmers identify applicable conservation practices aimed at maintaining and conserving the environment in which they farm, thus making agriculture more sustainable.

DoxaAg IS preparing a curriculum for the students of Ecole Doxa to teach them the critical role of agriculture in society at large, as well as the need to protect and manage the environment in a responsible way.

 

The below video highlights the first reforestation effort that DoxaAg organized in Lascahobas on October 2011.