Help Families Grow their Own Food in Rural Haiti

Yam Production Project: OPDTM (Oganizasyon Peyizan pou Devlopman Twa Mango)

Although OPDTM experienced several setbacks in 2025, including challenges that affected agricultural productivity and delayed progress, the organization entered 2026 with renewed momentum and a more positive outlook through the continued development of its yam production project. A significant milestone was achieved in March 2026 with the successful completion of the project’s second harvest. This achievement demonstrated the resilience of the initiative and the commitment of members to restoring and strengthening agricultural activities despite the difficulties experienced during the previous year.

Despite the losses encountered during the initial stages of the project, particularly those caused by unfavorable weather conditions, the yam production initiative showed encouraging signs of recovery. The second harvest generated additional production opportunities for 30 members, yielding the equivalent of 168 dozen yam plants. When combined with the results from the first harvest, the project has now provided direct benefits to 59 members of the Organization, allowing them to improve their access to locally produced food while gaining valuable experience in sustainable crop cultivation.

Following the recovery from the initial weather-related challenges, the Organization has made significant progress in rebuilding its agricultural capacity. Six communal yam fields have been successfully re-established across six separate farm sites, providing a foundation for continued collective production and cooperation among members. These communal fields have played an important role in rebuilding confidence in the project, restoring agricultural practices, and creating opportunities for members to work together toward shared food security goals.

In addition to the communal production areas, the project has expanded its focus to include individual member participation. Through ongoing support and access to planting materials, 59 members have been assisted in establishing and cultivating their own individual yam plots. This approach forms part of the Organization’s broader long-term livelihood and food security strategy, recognizing that household-level production can provide members with greater independence, increased food availability, and opportunities for future income generation.

At present, the Organization’s communal yam fields cover approximately 1.5 kawo, a local unit of land measurement, while members’ individual yam plots collectively account for approximately 3 kawo. The combined expansion of communal and household production represents meaningful progress in the project’s recovery and demonstrates the continued commitment of OPDTM and its members following the impacts of Hurricane Melissa.

The yam production project remains ongoing, with plans for continued expansion as production increases and additional planting materials become available. The Organization will continue providing support, guidance, and resources to members as they establish and maintain their individual yam fields, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every member has access to a personal production area.

Through this phased and inclusive approach, the project aims to strengthen household food security, improve agricultural resilience, and encourage sustainable farming practices among members. By rebuilding production capacity and expanding participation over time, OPDTM is working toward creating a more secure and self-sustaining agricultural system that benefits the entire membership and supports long-term community development.