THE HAITIAN PLANTAINS MARKET CHAIN

BRIEF OVERVIEW

• After rice, wheat and milk, plantains are the most valuable food crop in the world and comprise a major part of the normal diet in subsistence farming economies produced on very small plots.
• They contain carbohydrates, fiber, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins A, B6 and C.
• FAO 2006 statistics indicate a total production of 286,587.00 MT on 44,633.00 ha for an average yield of 6,420.97 kg/ha.

THE UNMET MARKET NEEDS, CONSTRAINTS OR OPPORTUNITIES

• One major constraint identified is the widespread infestation of the plantations with the leaf spot disease known as black sigatoka.
• For at least 7 years, agronomists have known that the clones of plantain grown on Hispaniola are sensitive to this disease, which cause significant reductions in plant leaf area and fruit yields - by 50% or more -, and premature ripening.

MARKET CHAIN DYNAMICS/STAKEHOLDERS

• The stakeholders in the plantain value chain comprise the producers, wholesalers/ "Madame Saras", retailers, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

MARCHE'S INTERVENTION & STRATEGY

• MarChE will provide producer groups with clones resistant to the Sigatoka disease, namely the FHIA 21, a variety identified by ORE after trials conducted both privately and in collaboration with MARNDR and IICA.
• In each targeted commune, farmer groups will be asked to provide a 2 ha plots that will be the local multiplication site. Individual members will receive suckers to plant on their own plots for a total of 8 ha.
• MarChE will target a specific market, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, developing a label of quality plantain. Producers and retailers will receive training to upgrade conditioning, packaging and transportation in crates.

VALUE CHAIN SPECIFIC MILESTONES & RESULTS

• In year one ORE will have established a 4 ha multiplication plot to produce suckers and identify farmer groups in the targeted communes for sucker’s distribution.
• By the end of Year 3, a total of 147,900 plantlets will have been produced and planted on 87 ha on producers’ plots and improved cultural practices and marketing skills will have been provided to 100 farmers.

 

BUDGET FOR INTERVENTION IN SWEET POTATOES PRODUCTION & MARKETING

Activities	Yr 1	Yr 2	Yr 3	Total
ORE- Multiplication plot/cutting delivery	$34,128	$8,871	$2,158	$45,156
Technical Assistance for field production		$3,896	$3,896	$7,792
Marketing training	$1,100	$3,960	$5,400	$10,460
Technical supervision	$3,000	$3,000	$3,000	$9,000
Field logistics	$1,750	$1,500	$2,250	$5,500
Total	$33,978	$21,227	$16,704	$77,909