Project to strengthen agricultural opportunities through training and technological investment (PROFIT)

Low agricultural productivity remains one of the main drivers of rural poverty and decent work deficits in Haiti. In the Grand’Anse and Southern Departments, around 60 per cent of households depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods, yet 56 per cent live on less than US$2.44 per day.

In response, the International Labour Organization (ILO) launched the Project to Strengthen Agricultural Opportunities Through Training and Technological Investment (PROFIT) in early 2021, with funding from the Kingdom of Norway. The three-year initiative aimed to improve the living conditions of 1,000 small producers in the Southern and Grand’Anse Departments by increasing sales of higher value-added cocoa and breadfruit products.

Building on the results and lessons learned from this first phase, the ILO and the World Food Programme (WFP) are now implementing a four-year follow-up intervention in the Grand’Anse Department. The project seeks to address key constraints to productivity growth and value chain upgrading in cocoa and breadfruit through improved production techniques, strengthened post-harvest management, more efficient logistics, and expanded market access. It also reinforces food security and women’s economic autonomy.

This second phase scales up PROFIT’s work to reach at least 2,000 small producers in the Grand’Anse Department, who will benefit from direct assistance and enhanced business-related services. Women will account for at least 50 per cent of all beneficiaries throughout the project’s implementation.

The first phase of the project was financed with a US$3 million grant from Norway.

A Phase II is underway with continued support from Norway under the project code HTI/24/02/NOR which is aimed at scaling up impact.

• Develop promising value chains in terms of market by maximizing added value in Haiti (locally) and favouring remunerative Haitian and international markets.
• Improve the living conditions of small cocoa and breadfruit producers in Grande Anse.
• Create green and decent jobs and promote entrepreneurship along the cocoa and breadfruit value chains.

Outcomes: Output 4.3. Increased support for enterprises – especially MSMEs – to achieve decent work and improve productivity

Under PROFIT, activities have included:

• Creation of infrastructure: A cocoa fermentation centre in Anse d’Hainault and a breadfruit processing unit in Dame Marie were established to improve processing, quality, and value addition.
• Financial services for producers: Formation of mutual solidarity groups to help small producers save, borrow and manage their operations as businesses.
• Access to agricultural inputs: Support for an agricultural extension service with trained service providers to facilitate farmers’ access to seeds, tools, and technical know-how.
• Innovation & traceability: Introduction of logistics intelligence systems to map plots and producers, improve traceability and support compliance with export standards.
• Promotion & market development: Haitian cocoa and value-added products have been showcased internationally, such as at the World Chocolate Fair in Paris with PROFIT support.

The project has targeted over 1,000 small producers in the first phase, with at least 50% being women.

Through local engagement and communication initiatives, PROFIT has increased visibility of agricultural value chains in communities and national media.

Gender and inclusion
Women account for at least half of all direct beneficiaries, aligning with gender equality objectives and economic empowerment.