The Commune of Ganthier and EWI signed a cooperative agreement in thefirst months of our arrival in 2009. We agreed to prioritize the needs of thelocal smallholder farmers, support the community-based school, and advance women’sequity. These common objectives became the genesis of the Talia Farms Program.

Being close to the capital, the region has been affected by the 2010earthquake, Hurricane Matthew, Covid, and lately has been overrun by the brutal400 Mawoso gang.

Through thick and thin, we have supported each other and doggedly continueour cooperation, finding solutions to the challenges we encounter. It has beenfifteen years of close friendship, and mutual trust and respect

Tragically, at this time the town of Ganthier and much of the region isunder the occupation of the 400 Mawoso gang. All schools and institutions are closed. Almost all of the town ofGanthier (about 25,000 people) are in hiding, scared and hungry. See Disaster Relief section for more information. ‍

Two regions in Haiti are gang-free: the North and the South West.

EWI is expanding into the northern region to help increase local foodproduction and help alleviate the country’s overall food shortages.Meeting  Haiti’s needs with Haiti-basedsolutions is the most sustainable solution.

Following initial research and exchanges with local participants, EWIidentified six areas of need that form a cohesive program. These needs will bediscussed in-person with local leadership and potential partners representingthe food production, business, and academic sectors.  

The Identified Priorities are:

1. FOCUSON RICE AND COCOA PRODUCTION
2. ADOPT SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURALPRACTICES
3. AND USE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
4. FORM A REGIONAL CAPITAL FUND
5. ESTABLISH AN ENTREPRENEURSHIPCENTER
6. BUILD A FOOD TRANSFORMATIONCENTER
7. RETAIN YOUNG ADULTS

In addition to long-term development programs, EWI also responds to major disasters that occur within Haiti’s borders.