>
The overall goal of this project is to address and mitigate key constraints to peanut production and utilization in Haiti. Peanuts have been and continue to be an important part of Haitian diet and culture. In addition, peanuts provide an important source of cash income. To combat malnutrition in the country, certain NGOs have developed facilities to produce peanut-based Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food or RUTF. To date, however, there has been limited utilization of locally grown peanut due to issues with productivity, quality and aflatoxin contamination.
In this project, we are developing a comprehensive production, processing and utilization strategy for peanuts in Haiti. All phases of peanut production are being evaluated, including varieties specific to the region and market influences. We are instituting a seed-increase program and developing facilities to maintain genetic resources through curation of important peanut germplasm. Capacity building through the introduction of labor saving devices and harvesting equipment and procedures is underway, along with evaluating the infrastructure to improve peanut handling, drying and long-term storage. Once these improvements have been evaluated, we take the best management practices and strategies to the grower level at several villages and communities in the region, particularly through the depot network partnership with the Acceso Peanut Enterprise Corporation. We are providing training and infrastructure support to realize these improvements and ensure long-term capacity building. Aflatoxin and the role of women in the peanut value chain is being measured/surveyed throughout the duration and in all phases of the project. We are also establishing aflatoxin-testing facilities and re-training Haitians in how to measure and the importance of avoiding aflatoxin in their diet. Another important capacity-building measure is the creation of alternative products/markets for high aflatoxin contaminated peanuts.