Vernet Joseph, the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development accompanied by his Director General Elancé Moïse, welcomed to his office a delegation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on a mission to Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43178-haiti-news-zapping.html composed of the Director of the Office of Emergencies and Resilience Rein Paulsen, the Coordinator of the FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central America Mario Lubetkin and the Country Resident Representative José Luis Fernandez.

Also taking part in this meeting were executives from the Ministry and some from the FAO representation in Haiti.

During this very fruitful meeting, the issue of food insecurity was addressed in depth alongside other important points, such as :

• Technical support to strengthen the Ministry's capacity in the production of quality seeds, in the presentation of agricultural statistics ;

• The development of a new balanced agricultural policy accompanied by an investment plan ;

• Improving the cassava sector.

Minister Joseph recalled that in 2020 more than 4 million people were in a situation of food insecurity. Four years later, food insecurity has increased by more than 25%.

He believes that there is a need, among other things, to change the paradigm in the agricultural sector and to rationalize approaches. He requests FAO's full support for a broader involvement of multi-stakeholders so that agriculture can meet not only local demand but also open up to export.

The FAO delegation expressed great interest in supporting the Ministry in its mission, and promised to continue discussions with a view to achieving the materialization of the points raised.

IH/ iciHaiti