Offered by Sr. Patricia Dillon, RJM, the following resources have been found to be helpful for efforts in sustainable agriculture and alternative energy. Much of this information can be found in English, Creole, French and Spanish.
1. KNAA: Haiti National Coalition for the Environment / Kowalisyon Nasyonal pou Anvironment Ayisyen - A network of Haitian grassroots organizations and NGO's (national and international) committed to improving the Haitian environment through sharing practices and resources. Information offered in English and Creole.
2. Gid Agwosivikol by Gerolf Weigel and Thomas Simmerman (revised edition 1988) – This booklet is an excellent resource for reforestation mixed with agriculture in ways that control erosion. It was published by National Caritas of Haiti and HELVETAS, an international NGO now working in the lower Artibonite with local headquarters in Port-au-Prince.
3. ECHO: ECHO Development Notes at www.echotech.org – Excellent publications and resources in English, Spanish and French.
· #98 Farming God’s Way
· #81 “Towards a More Fruitful Agricultural Experimentation” (Available in English and Spanish)
· ECHO Technical Note 6-2 “Terracing on the Wynne Farm in Haiti.” Edited by Martin Price
4. Fon Lanbi Support text: “Semine sou agrikilti dirab nan sid ak Latibonit.” Mas 2003 – Sustainable agriculture in Creole.
As more methods and uses of plants continue to be researched, more detailed information constantly changes with growing interest in sustainable agriculture and economic development. Through a simple "Google" search, the following can be found for more information:
- Bamboo (erosion control) - National Caritas of Haiti
- Vetiver (erosion control) - The Southern Africa Vetiver Network
- Coconuts (erosion control) - www.cocogreen.net
- Sugarcane Charcoal (alternative energy) - Developed by Professor Amy Smith, MIT www.haitienvironment.org
- Jatropha (alternative energy)