The tree planting and growing efforts are based upon the
economic self-interest of the farmer. Sixty percent of all Haitian
farms are owner operated, though few farmers have deeds. The ef-
fect of land tenure insecurity on farmer behavior makes it impor-
tant to establish tree ownership. Seedlings planted in situations of
indeterminate ownership have a low survival rate due to neglect
and grazing. An evaluation of erosion control programs in Haiti
notes that "The principal determinant of success or failure is the
degree to which the new practices are associated with visible in-
creases in annual domestic income for the participating farmers.
When such increases have become visible, the Haitian peasant has
shown himself to be extraordinarily swift to alter his traditional
techniques and to adopt new behaviors" (Murray, 1979).
 Individual motivation to manage the trees is promoted by
clearly establishing planter control of harvesting decisions and
monies earned. In some cases the projects have used cost incen-
tives where the planter is paid a small sum (US $.05) for each tree
surviving six months and again at twelve months after planting.
Planters have extension services made available under the project.
In order to participate, a farmer must meet with an extension
agent, take measures to protect seedlings from grazing livestock,
and in most cases, must plant a minimum of 200 seedlings on his
land. To insure a wide distribution and to keep the program from
being usurped by large landowners, a maximum of 500 trees per
planter is set. The cash cropping of trees is not a foreign process in
the rural economy. There is already an existing market in wood
and fruits. Very few farmers are purely subsistence farmers, 35%
of production is marketed off the farm.
 The incentive to harvest trees is an economic reality in Haiti. A
primary difference between this program and past programs is
that the incentive to cut trees is used to drive the process of grow-
ing trees. The small farm structure of Haitian agriculture has
previously only been considered in defining the problem, rather
than as a powerful resource for resolving it. In this program the
attainment of objectives results from indivually motivated
economic activity.



Technical Important aspects of the Agroforestry Program are
in species selection and in development of efficient nursery pro-
duction and delivery systems. Well adapted, fast growing,
drought resistant species with suitable wood characteristics are
used for tree cash cropping and erosion control. The principal
species used in the project are:

 Azodirachta indica, [C (Creole name), E (English name)]
 Neem Exotic
 Drought, insect and animal resistant, fast grower.
 Good for firewood.
 Leucaena leucocephala, (C, E) Leucaena Exotic
 Good fuelwood (firewood and charcoal). Nitrogen
 fixing species.
 Cassia siamea, (C) Casse de Siam, (E) Cassia Exotic.
 Drought, insect and animal resistant. Firewood.
 Casuarina equisetifolia, (C) Pin d'Australie,
 (E) Australian Pine.
 Eucalyptus spp., (E) Eucalyptus Altitude adaptability.
 Simaruba glauca, (C) Frene, (E) Ash Indigenous.

 Of the wide variety of fruit trees planted, the most numerous
 have been:
 Anacardium occidental, (C) Acajou, (E) Cashew nut.
 Mangifera indica, (C, E) Mango.
 Citrus sinensis, (C) Zoranj dous, (E) Sweet orange.
 Persea americana, (C) Zaboca, (E) Avocado.


 The Winstrip seedling propagation system, as developed by
one of the NGOs, allows for growing and transporting large
numbers of seedlings with a minimum of bulk. One person can
easily carry 500 Winstrip seedlings to a planting site in one trip,
compared to only twelve seedlings grown in the traditionally used
plastic tubes.
 Another important technical consideration is in providing
planting schemes which allow for a farmer to raise trees in associa-
tion with annual crops. On land that is no longer agriculturally
productive, farmers are encouraged to plant woodlots. On flat
croplands, border plantings of trees are recommended. These trees
provide an increase in income and wood or fruit supply, while only
slightly interfering with crop production on field margins. On
slopes that are used yearly for agriculture, but which are vulnerable
to soil erosion, the recommendation is to plant borders and rows of
trees across the fields. Thinning these rows to leave only the best
trees provides some quick returns. Enough space is left between the
rows for annuals. The trees are a cash crop themselves and help to
stabilize the soil while rebuilding its productivity. On very steep
slopes and other lands that traditionally benefit from a fallow
period, trees are intercropped with annuals. The farmer will be
able to grow two or three harvests of food while the trees get
established. Once the trees are shading the ground, the annuals are
phased out until the first trees are harvested within a period of two
to three years. Following this harvest, the restored plots are again
available for annual production.

 For fuelwood and polewood production, USAID has established
a four-year US $8M project implemented through three NGOs:
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), CARE, and
Operation Double Harvest (ODH). In addition, two contractors at
USAID provide technical assistance services and project coordina-
tion. For fruit propagation and variety trials, a US $.6M two-year
grant has been awarded to SHEEPA.

 The forest tree components of the program were begun in the
spring of 1981 with the first production of seedlings at a central
nursery constructed near the capital city of Port-au-Prince. This
facility, which produces three million seedlings a year and operates
eight demonstration tree farms in the surrounding area, will have
absorbed about 10% of the project funds. These demonstration
tree farms have been established on land leased from private
owners. The NGO is responsible for cultivation and harvesting on
these lands, using locally hired farmers. After expenses are
recovered, half of the profits go to the landowner and half go to the
NGO. The idea is to illustrate the profitability of cash cropping fast
growing tree species such as Leucaena and Neem.
 The central nursery is also investigating large scale production
techniques, potting mixtures, species characteristics, and adap-
tability trials.
 The largest component of the Agroforestry project is directed
 towards regional and local outreach programs. Beginning in
 January 1982, two international NGOs, PADF and CARE, have
 been conducting meetings in hundreds of villages. Four
 agroforestry teams are operating throughout Haiti. Sub-grants
 made to other smaller NGOs, such as religious missions and com-
 munity councils, have generated over 90 sub-projects. PADF pro-
 vides materials and direction for these sub-projects, the local
 organizations provide personnel and contacts. Twenty regional
 nurseries built by these sub-projects provide seedlings to Haitian
 peasants for planting on their own land. Participating farmers
 receive extension assistance in planning, planting, and caring for
 the seedlings through the village meetings and in one to one
 meetings with trained field agents. A vitally important aspect of
 the project is follow-up visits after one, six, and twelve month in-
 tervals. Project trained, Haitian extension agents measure survival
 and growth rates, growth conditions, and provide further


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