MAKING THE DIFFERENCE - AND DRIVING OUR FUTURES TOGETHER

COUNTRY: Haiti
THEME: Economic and Environmental

The small Caribbean state of Haiti is one of the poorest countries on Earth. Its natural resources are limited and it suffers regularly from extreme tropical storms. When Hurricane George hit the island in 1998, hillsides already denuded to supply wood for charcoal were literally washed away, leaving a trail of devastation. There are, however, a few bright spots on Haiti's horizon, and the work that Mars, Incorporated has undertaken to improve cocoa farming on the island is one of them.

Cocoa is an essential ingredient of chocolate and individual recipes call for different blends of cocoa to make the right taste for a particular brand. For Mars, the beans grown on the island shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti are important for making some of Mars chocolate, and Mars is interested in maintaining an adequate supply. The vulnerability of supplies from the island, combined with the work from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) mission created a unique opportunity to work with the devastated cocoa farmers of Haiti to help them rehabilitate their farms and rebuild their livelihoods.

Haitian cocoa has always been cultivated on a relatively small scale and the quality of beans produced has been unreliable. Since the deforestation of the island, however, introducing tree crops like cocoa to help stabilize hillsides was seen to be a positive intervention to the redevelopment of the island. Cocoa was a cash crop, but it also provided relief from the problems of soil erosion.

To supplement the small number of existing trees, Mars partnered with USAID to help farmers plant new trees, rehabilitate the existing ones and learn new farming skills. Farmers are now more focused on the potential for cocoa and are growing better quality beans using techniques more appropriate to their local conditions. They are also working through a cooperative network and becoming less vulnerable to market and environmental forces.

Rehabilitation is a long-term project and it has taken several years for the cocoa farmers of Haiti to see improvements in yield and quality. During this time Mars has supported the local market by underwriting the crop, giving the farmers freedom to sell their cocoa beans through their choice of outlets. Mars acted as a guaranteed buyer to reduce their vulnerability.

Haitian beans are now seen as an alternative source for some of the Mars chocolate recipes. The types of trees, the climate and soil in Haiti are similar to neighboring Dominican Republic, and drying techniques are also the same, which leads to the development of similar flavors.

The Haitian project was an early example of work by Mars in the field of cocoa sustainability. The business partnered with a development agency, in this case USAID, to bring its extensive knowledge and business experience to help the farmers in a developing country.

The project has been mutually beneficial. Haitian cocoa farmers have improved opportunities to grow and market cocoa, with the added benefit of hillside stabilization, and Mars is assured of a source for a particular flavor of cocoa beans to make its chocolate products.

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