Educate the villagers on basic soil science and plant nutrition to improve agricultural practices. Implement composting using organic waste to increase soil carbon and nutrients. Plant cover crops like sorghum after harvests to reduce erosion. Build a well for irrigation and fences around coconut trees to protect them. Purchase improved seeds and tools to increase crop yields and reduce malnutrition in Nan Boukan, Haiti.

1. A Plan to Decrease Hunger and Improve Agriculture in Nan Boukan, Haiti
Purpose
Background
Summary and Conclusions
Recommendations
References
Ashley Huff and Amanda Rice
Advisor: Dr. Mary Tacy
• Bargout, Remy N., and Manish N. Raizada. "Soil Nutrient Management in
Haiti, Pre-Columbus to the Present Day: Lessons for Future Agricultural
Interventions." Agriculture & Food Security 2.1 (2013): 2-11. Print.
• Bickelhaupt, D. “Soil pH: What it Means”. Department of Forest and Natural
Resource Management. N.p., 2014. Web. 13 Mar. 2014.
• Busman, L., Lamb, J., Randall, G., Rehm, G., Schmitt, M. “The Nature of
Phosphorus in Soils”. Minnesota Extension Service FO-6795-B (1997). Print.
• Carter, P.R., Hicks, D.R., Oplinger, E.S., Doll, J.D., Bundy, L.G., Schuler, R.T., and
Homles, B.J. “Grain Sorghym (Milo)”. Alternative Field Crops Manual (1989).
Print.
• Komite developman Nan Boukan. Personal Communication. September 2013-
April 2014.
• O’Leary, M., Rehm, G., Schmitt, M. “Understanding Nitrogen in Soils”.
Minnesota Extension Service AG-FO-3770 (1989). Print.
• Patterson, Bill. "Soil“. Personal Interview. 3 Apr. 2014.
• Perla, M. “Community composting in developing countries”. Biocycle. June
1997;38(6):48. Prohens, Jaime, and F. Nuez. "Watermelon." Vegetables 1:
'Asteraceae', 'Brassicaceae', 'Chenopodicaceae', and 'Cucurbitaceae' New
York: Springer, 2008. 381-418. Print.
• Rehn, G., Schimitt, M. “Potassium for Crop Production”. Minnesota Extension
Service FO-6794-C (1997). Print.
• World Food Programme. "Haiti." WFP. N.p., 2014. Web. 4 Apr. 2014.
Soil infertility and erosion are major problems and are due to
topography, biomodal rainfall (Figure 1), soil type, tropical climate, and misuse
of land. In Haiti, lost minerals are often not replenished in agricultural fields
because the farmer cannot afford fertilizer (Bargout, 2013).
The village of Nan Boukan Haiti, located on the island of La Gonave’s
southern coast, consists of 32 households with approximately 130 people total
(Map 1). Of these, families, 13 have gardens. Because the town’s coastal
location, the soil is to saline for maximum agricultural productivity. Gardens are
therefore located above the town in the hills, with walking distances ranging
from 10 minutes to over an hour (Komite devlopman Nan Boukan, Sep 2013-
April 2014).
To create a plan for the town of Nan Boukan, Haiti, to increase agricultural
productivity and reduce malnutrition. In addition, it will increase the output
of their existing gardens to supplement the village nutritionally.
Educate: There is such little knowledge in the village about the soil science and agronomy. The culture teaches that if
something doesn’t work it is the result of a curse or someone has come and destroyed it. A basic understanding of how plants
grow, what they need to grow, and why they get sick and die is needed. Bill Patterson suggested finding an “Elmer” (someone
respected that could teach the rest of the community) and teaching him/her the basics (Patterson, 2014).
Compost: The successful use of organic material to increase carbon levels in soil is being practiced across the developing world
(Perla, 1997). One method to ensure organic matter goes directly into the soil is through “lasagna gardening”. This is a
fertilization technique that involves layering levels of organic waste to create a nutrient rich topsoil. This form of gardening is
used in cases where there is little to no topsoil on an existing garden plot (Patterson, 2014). In the case of Nan Boukan,
directly applying layers of food and animal waste to decompose will increase carbon levels and microbial life in the soil. During
the planting season this also allows for no-till agriculture because all organic matter will be accessible and carbon reserves will
stay intact.
Cover Crop: Watermelons are grown during the early months of the rainy seasons which begins in March (Figure 1). Peanuts
are grown during the latter part of the rainy season and harvested in December after which the gardens are left bare.
Therefore, after harvesting, farmers should plant a cover crop for January-March. This means there are exposed to the
elements and have a higher chance of water and wind erosion. The use of a cover crop, specifically grain sorghum, will help
protect from erosion and also provide excess organic matter for the soil (Carter, 1989).
Build Well An adequate water source to water gardens during periods of low rainfall would greatly increase productivity of the
gardens and would reduce the number of failed crops. The villagers should contact the national water agency, DINEPA, and
encourage them to drill a well in the vicinity of the gardens. (See “Water Availability in Nan Boukan, Haiti” presentation).
Build Fences: The few coconut seedlings that have survived have fences built around them made of sticks and briars. If more
coconut palms are planted, each should have a fence built around it to increase survival.
Purchase Seeds: Families with gardens should purchase watermelon seeds every year instead of using seed from the previous
year's crop since those tend to produce smaller melons. The families should also purchase sorghum seeds to plant as a cover
crop.
Purchase Additional Tools: Input from the villagers indicated that new sickles, machetes, shovels, and picks are needed to
improve their gardening (Table 2).
Costs
Table 2. Cost of all items requested by the farmers of
Nan, Boukan in both Haitian Gourd and U.S. Dollars
Methods
Source:
http://sdwebx.worldbank.org/climateportal/index.cfm?page=country_historical_climate&ThisRegion=North%20Ameri
ca&ThisCCode=HTI
Our methodology consisted of analysis of academic literature and
other published sources, communication with United States Department of
Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service representative Bill
Patterson, interviews with the villagers of Nan Boukan on their gardens, and
soil sampling of the gardens themselves.
Our study's focus crops were watermelon, coconut, and peanuts which
each has important nutritional and economic values. Research was
conducted on each plant to determine how they could supplement nutrition
either through consumption or through selling them so that other
wholesome foods could be purchased. To determine which crops to study,
we asked the villagers what they needed help with and determined which
crops had the greatest nutritional value.
Coconuts:
• Grow in infertile and
saline soils.
• Provides fat and
calories to diet.
• Has many uses:
cooking, oil, and
compost.
Peanuts:
• Add calories, protein
and fat to diet.
• Grows in dry, sandy
soils.
• Provides nitrogen to
the soil.
Watermelons:
• Provide Lycopene,
Vitamin A, and
Vitamin C to diet.
• Source of moisture in
compost.
6
6.5
7
7.5
8
Garden 1 Garden 2 Garden 3 Garden 4
Neutral Neutral
Slightly
Acidic
Alkaline
Phosphorus Levels Nitrogen Levels Potash (Potassium)
Levels
Garden 1 Deficient Deficient Deficient
Garden 2 Deficient Depleted Sufficient
Garden 3 Surplus Depleted Sufficient
Garden 4 Depleted Depleted Adequate
Photo Credit: Madison Benner
Analysis & Results
We chose to study coconuts, peanuts, and watermelon because the villagers already grow each of these crops, they can
help reduce malnutrition (Figure 2), and watermelons and peanuts are cash crops. A U.S. organization provided coconuts to
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1 Cup
Watermelon
1 Ounce
Dried
Coconut
Meat
1/2 Cup
Peanuts
1 Cup Kidney
Beans
1 Cup Brown
Rice
Calories
Protein
Fat
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Item
Haitian
Gourde USD
13 Boxes of
Watermelon
Seeds 9750 247
10 Sickles 3500 89
8 Picks 6000 152
12 Shovels 4800 122
13 Machetes 6500 165
Total 30,550 775
Nan Boukan has received funding from Our Community Place
(OCP), a non-profit organization in Harrisonburg, Virginia, for tools
and seeds for their gardens. The families compiled a list of tools
needed for each garden (Komite devlopman Nan Boukan, Sep.
2013-April 2014 ) and the total cost for the tools and a box of
watermelon seeds for each garden is $775 US dollars (Table 2).
Soil samples were conducted
in order to assess overall soil health
in the gardens of Nan Boukan. Four
of the family gardens were sampled
for pH, phosphorus, nitrogen, and
potash (potassium) levels. In order
to replenish the soil with proper
levels of nutrients we researched
the focus crops effects on soil
health, nutrient composition, and
their ability to be composted.
Soils
Phosphorus is an essential part of transferring energy
from one cellular plant reaction to another (Busman, 1997).
Deficiencies in the gardens of Nan Boukan cause slow plant
growth. Chicken, goat, and pig manure contain phosphates.
The soils are also depleted of nitrogen, caused by
“nitrogen leaching” which occurs when an excess of water
runs through the soil creating a loss of soluble nitrogen
(O’Leary, 1989). Leaching is a result of the heavy rains and
soil erosion in Nan Boukan. The use of peanut shells and
manure in compost can add nitrogen to the soil.
Potassium in soil is used for movement of water,
nutrients, and carbohydrates through a crops root system
(Rehm, 1997). Increased soil moisture can raise the amount
and movement of potassium in root systems.
As for pH of the soil in Nan Boukan it is at a perfect
level. A pH of 6-7 is desired in order to break down acid
soluble nutrients and minerals (Bickelhaupt, 2014).
Crops
Photo Credit:Komite devlopman Nan Boukan
Other parts of the plan would have no cost. Peanuts can be
planted from the previous year’s crop. Fences are built out of
scrap branches and briars. Composting is also a completely free
part of the plan. The organic matter can come from everyday
waste: fruit peels, excess unsalted rice and beans, fish remnants,
and even animal feces. All of these items are produced right in the
village of Nan Boukan.
Through our research and communication with the
community in Nan Boukan, we developed guidelines that can be
easily followed. These recommendations can be integrated into
everyday life and work, and make a profound difference.
Our proposed improvements in nutrition and agriculture
could increase the quality of life for the people of Nan Boukan
with enriched diets and more productive soil. However, the plan
will only succeed if a means is found to increase education and if
the community adopts the suggested changes.
Photo Credit: Madison Benner
Figure 2. Percent daily nutritional values for watermelon, coconut, peanuts,
kidney beans, and white rice. Percent nutritional values for each crop of the
basic adult nutritional requirement from the World Food Programme.
Figure 1. Climagraph of Nan Boukan, Haiti, from 1990-2009. The bars show average
rainfall for each month while the connected scatterplot displays the average
temperature.
The primary food
source is rice and beans
which are purchased at
the market. However,
watermelons, peanuts,
and coconuts are grown
by the villagers and can
supplement their diets
with added nutrients.
Table 1. Nutrient levels in the soils of Nan Boukan. Level relative to a Depleted (0) to
Sufficient (5) scale.
plant, but the majority of those that sprouted were eaten by goats due to
inadequate fencing. The villagers specifically asked for help growing their
watermelons and peanuts are the only crop they can grow at the beginning of their
dry season (Komite devlopman Nan Boukan, Sep 2013-April 2014). Each crop can
also be sold for profit to purchase other foods supplementary to their diets such as
rice and beans. Individual values of the focus crops include:
Figure 3. pH Levels in the soils of Nan Boukan. Ranging from Alkaline (7.5) to Very Acidic (4.5).
The soils of Nan Boukan are
completely void of top soil and most
nutrients (see Table 1). The rocky
and salty soils make it hard for
anything to grow without proper soil
maintenance and health.
Based on our results and research we have created a plan consisting of multiple factors that will improve crop yield and
decrease cases of malnutrition in the town of Nan Boukan. Here are our formal endorsements:
In Haiti, 1 in every 5
children currently suffers from
chronic malnutrition (World
Food Programme, 2014). One
problem is the extreme
environmental degradation
which hinders food
productivity, fueling
malnutrition which is
experienced by 45% of
Haitians. For those living in
rural Haiti, the main source of
income is agriculture, yet less
than 17% of the cultivated
land is suitable for agriculture.
Map 1. Map of the island of La Gonave, Haiti. Specific location of our
focus town of Nan Boukan.