All quotations were originally recorded in Haitian Creole and translated into English.
Gerniot Mesidor, nearly fifty, has been farming in Camp-Perrin’s third communal section since he was 18. He is an agronomy-trained father of three and leads a local community-based organization.
Gerniot, a beneficiary of the project “Food Security through Food Voucher Transfers, Household and Community Gardens and Financial Inclusion in Camp-Perrin and Jérémie, Haiti,” funded by Aktion Deutschland Hilft and run by Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund, is aware of the project’s field activities, especially the benefits of agroforestry garden.
“Previously, obtaining pois de souche required travel to Les Cayes, leading to inconsistent quality; however, the project has made it accessible to all beneficiaries.”
Seeds That Travel from Home Gardens to the Neighborhood
The project supplied beneficiaries with seeds, tools, and training for garden establishment and management. A guide was used to explain the pantry garden concept, emphasizing its importance for individuals, particularly in fulfilling family needs and enhancing community food resilience.
He initiated a garden in March, funded by the project, growing pois de souche, kalalou, hot pepper, bell pepper, and cabbage for personal use and sale. This garden meets immediate needs for residents by providing quick meal options, and surplus dry grains from the harvest support broader community access to these crops. He mentions that this gardening approach is not common among all locals.
“[…] During this period, community-wide changes are influencing individuals’ purchasing habits, particularly regarding items such as bell peppers in the market.”
Harvests Within a Month and a Half, and a First Season Worth Celebrating
Crops have varying growth rates, with some ready for harvest in a month and a half to two months, while yams take seven months. A drought impacted the gardens after planting, affecting growth potential. Despite this, those who planted cabbage and peppers were able to harvest, albeit without a second yield
“[…] if you look here, everything planted, such as pois de souche, can be harvested after approximately one and a half to two months.”
Going Further: More Families, More Water
Despite a community of around 19,000 inhabitants, the project has only reached a small fraction due to limited resources.
“Funding should persist to broaden the activity’s reach, allowing more participants beyond the initial group to benefit.”
His recommendations stress the importance of climate-resilient crops like sweet potato, yam, cassava, and carrot, which can withstand climate change, and the significance of water availability in future initiatives.
“To support homeowners in accessing water, we suggest the implementation of drip irrigation systems for market-garden crops, ensuring adequate watering during droughts.”
He emphasizes the project’s resource constraints and expresses hope that upcoming initiatives will attract increased donor support for ASB, allowing it to assist more individuals comprehensively.
Gerniot Mesidor’s journey demonstrates that home gardens extend their benefits beyond individual cultivators by encouraging seed sharing and enhancing home production, while also emphasizing the necessity of water availability for future growth.
