technical and moral support. Continuous project evaluation
keeps track of the number of participants, of seedlings planted
and surviving, and of training classes given.
 Research plots are planted to test the performance of different
tree species in a variety of ecological situations. A senior forester
contracted to USAID provides technical assistance and supervi-
sion for the research activities.
 In the northwest region of Haiti, where the need for reforesta-
tion is the greatest, two additional agroforestry teams and seven
regional nurseries are operating. CARE and HACHO, a Haitian
NGO, are working together in this area. CARE and HACHO
have an established relationship from other cooperative ventures.
HACHO is also the counterpart for a German reforestation pro-
gram. The USAID-CARE-HACHO relationship is an example of
an effective model for future projects. This arrangement provides
an established operational structure in the region, coordination
with other reforestation activities, and the presence of a Haitian
organization which can continue to implement reforestation ef-
forts in the future.
 A two-year fruit tree project in the Central Plateau began
operations in April 1983. It consists of the selection of fruit tree
cultivars, multiplication of the cultivars, training of project staff
and farmers, and the distribution of these cultivars to farmers.
Three production/research nurseries have been constructed and
are producing the seedlings. The farmers pay US $.05 per seed-
ling to help defray nursery costs, and more importantly, as a way
to involve planter commitment. Like the wood tree projects,
planters own the trees and have complete control of them. The
growers meet with extension agents before, during, and after
plantings. The fruit tree project is also working on a growers
organization, fruit marketing, and training of any groups or indi-
viduals interested in horticulture in Haiti.

RESULTS TO DATE
 The large nursery near Port-au-Prince has planted one million
seedlings on eight demonstration tree farms. These will be
harvested when they achieve 10 cm diameter at breast height.
There had already been some harvesting of the first batch of trees
planted when the project commenced in the spring of 1981. These
and other trees harvested from thinning operations are already
being sold as construction timbers and for charcoal production.
Advances have been made in mass production techniques, in-
cluding the efficient Winstrip seedling propagation system.
 Rural outreach programs have reached over 23,000 peasant
farmers who have planted more than eleven million seedlings on
their private lands. Over 90 sub-project operations are in place and
expanding the institutional infrastructure for agroforestry outreach.
Three soil erosion control projects have been started in cooperation
with the Haitian Ministry of Agriculture. The number of farmers
participating in the fruit tree aspects of the program is approaching
2,000. The original end of project goal of 390,000 improved fruit
tree seedlings has been increased to 640,000.
 Overall seedling survival rates average about 50%, which is
somewhat lower than the proposed goal of 70% survival, but


which experience has shown to be an acceptable rate given the
diverse conditions of Haiti. Lack of adequate rainfall has been a
particular problem.
 Research plantings of forest and fruit trees are being monitored
 for data on species adaptability and productivity.

 CONCLUSIONS
 The USAID Agroforestry program can only truly be evaluated
in the long term when the effects of tree cover can be measured.
But, there are short term gains. Over 25,000 Haitian peasant
farmers will have planted over 16.5 million tree seedlings by the
end of the project, and this number only counts those who have
participated directly. As the benefits of tree planting become
demonstrated, the process of reforestation will acquire an im-
petus of its own, spreading from farmer to farmer without out-
side intervention. Over thirty nurseries are in operation and will
continue to supply seedlings. Institutional framework has been
developed which can carry on reforestation programs, either by
implementing external assistance grants or by becoming self-
sufficient. Models for the most effective development strategies
are being tested in actual operations, and will provide invaluable
experience to subsequent reforestation projects.
 Research plots are already generating much needed data on
species adaptability and productivity which will be useful in both
present and future reforestation management programs.
 In the next several years, the wood and fruit trees planted will
produce harvests of food, fuel and lumber, providing both
material and economic support for Haitian peasants. It is hoped
that the training and experiences of hundreds of Haitians in ex-
tension, nursery production and agroforestry outreach will bear
fruit of a similar nature.
 The USAID Agroforestry Program is a comprehensive approach
to developing private sector forestry in Haiti. It is coordinated
with and complemented by the World Bank Haiti Forestry Pro-
ject which is developing public sector forestry programs.
 The greatest contribution that the USAID Agroforestry Pro-
gram can make is to demonstrate that Haiti's environmental
problems are not irreversible and that solutions are possible.






References
 1. Agency for International Development. 1983. Congressional presentation
fiscal year 1984. Annex III. Latin America and the Caribbean. Bureau for Latin
America and the Caribbean. 301 pp.
 2. Ewel, J. 1977 (April). Soil erosion and prospects for land restoration in
Haiti.
 3. Murray, G.F. 1979 (October). Terraces, trees and the Haitian peasant: An
assessment of twenty-five years of erosion control in rural Haiti. USAID/Haiti.
 4. World Bank Haiti Forestry Project: Staff Review. 1982 (une).
 5. Zerbe, J.Z., J.L. Whitmore, H.E. Wahlgren, J.F. Laudrie, K.A.
Christopherson. 1980 (July). Forestry activities and deforestation problems in
developing countries. For. Prod. Lab., USDA. For. Serv. 198 pp.


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