This report–commissioned by Finland Church Aid (FCA) and carried out under the Socio-Dig, a Haiti-based research company–focuses on egg production in Haiti with an emphasis on popular class rural household livelihood strategies. The study ultimately addresses the question, if equipped with the proper technological resources and financial support, could these households provide significantly more eggs to the national population? Special attention is given to production operations in Department of the South.
The conclusion is that increased egg production is incompatible with the prevailing livelihood strategies of the poorest Haitian farmers. For those middling level entrepreneurs it is also extremely difficult in view of the sophisticated state of the art technology used in modern laying operations, the poor infrastructure in Haiti, difficulties in accessing any technology from developing countries (given complications with customs and shipping), and the high cost of feed in Haiti. A successful egg production campaign must be compatible with conditions in Haiti but it must draw on the wealth of recent information about free ranged chickens and producing eggs to create new, economically and technologically sustainable strategies. Use of cooperatives and associations is only recommended with respect to training farmers in poultry care techniques.
Data is drawn from a review of the literature and contact with farmers, entrepreneurs, merchants, and cooperative leaders. The consultant visited eight production facilities in the Department of the South and one in Department of the West (Gressier) and interviewed staff and technicians. Four surveyors conducted a supplemental 382 household “Chicken Survey” and a follow-up telephone sub-survey of 91 of the original respondents.
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