Timberland helps reintroduce cotton crop in Haiti
31/08/2017
It will bring the crop back to the country after a 30-year absence in a move that it is hoped will revitalise farming in the country, boost the Haitian economy and contribute to reforestation.
The ceremonial planting of the first seeds took place last week in fields near the district of Gonaives. It included cotton varieties from Brazil, India and the US.
As part of the project, smallholder farmers will plant trees in exchange for cotton seed, agricultural training and equipment. This will also qualify the farmers to sell to Timberland. The company has committed to purchasing up to a third of its annual cotton intake from Haiti, subject to price, quality and volume.
“On behalf of the Haitian people I want to thank Timberland and the Smallholder Farmers Alliance for bringing cotton back to Haiti,” Mr Du Mény said. “This is a big opportunity for the country and the people of Haiti. It will make smallholders more profitable, create more jobs and help the economy to grow.”
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