Armed groups of individuals active in L'Estère and Liancourt, among others, driven by an uncontrollable urge for destruction, have targeted farms and farmers in the Artibonite Valley.

Several rice fields have been set on fire, others deteriorated with machetes, warehouses looted, and rice paddies destroyed just as they were ready for harvest. Even irrigation systems have not escaped the destructive fury of these individuals. These "gratuitous" acts of vandalism are worsening the country's food insecurity, depriving entire families of their source of income and mercilessly attacking the few courageous farmers who are trying to protect their crops.

It should be noted that Haiti currently imports approximately 80% of its rice consumption, or nearly 515,000 tons annually (USDA 2025/26), for a value of approximately $200 million.

The remaining 20% ​​of national consumption comes primarily from the approximately 28,000 hectares of the Artibonite Plain, which produces 80% of the national rice production (United States Department of Agriculture 2025/26).

S/ iciHaiti