Wherever you may be I want to wish you health, happiness and success. For our beloved Haiti peace, unity and prosperity are my fervent wishes for her in 2013.
I have been a reader of the Corbett list for some time now but as with many readers I have not engaged in the conversation but for the fulfillment of a personal resolution this year I will be posting in a few mediums (Corbett being one) in the spirit of sharing. This change is based on my firm belief that Haitians living abroad have an important role to play in the development of Haiti and we are not fulfilling it. I will be fully engaging in as many conversations about Haiti as possible to learn but also to share my work, my perspective and also whatever information I have in order to advance what i know is a common cause.
I have been reading about this rice issue with some interest because part of my work in Haiti currently involved those farmers. Alice's article translated below presents one view of the rice problematic but let me highlight a couple of points that might add to Mr. Bienaime's comments. First, it is important to note that while RACPABA's president is arguing that the network could be a solution to the rice issue in Haiti-- it can and should be-- he also acknowledges that it can only do so partially. To illustrate the challenge, some time ago Racpaba had an opportunity to be of one of the main providers to the World Food Program's school canteen program. A request that they turned down because they realized that they would not be able to fulfill WFP's order (quantity and quality) at a steady pace. This was basically a single demand from an institution that has steady demand AND can pay but the network could not do that.
I am sure many issues went into the decision but what is important to note is that if the network could not fill a limited demand, how can they then be the solution to all of Haiti's food shortage. Without going into the details, one can imagine the impact this could have had on the farmers in the network so it is hard for us to accept this argument as a statement of fact. In the price argument, Bienaime did not say this but it is implicit and others on this list have argued that one solution would be to raise the tariffs on import. However, based on simple economic principles one can understand that this option is simply fraught with problems because of the disruption it would cause on the market and on people's lives here. On the positive side, the government is in fact purchasing rice from local networks of growers through the Fund for Economic and Social Assistance (FAES) which is implementing various social programs. They may not be buying rice from Racpaba but they are indeed buying local. These efforts need to be expanded but unfortunately many people do not know about them. On the other hand, I don't know why the administration does not talk these efforts more coherently.
I am sure many issues went into the decision but what is important to note is that if the network could not fill a limited demand, how can they then be the solution to all of Haiti's food shortage. Without going into the details, one can imagine the impact this could have had on the farmers in the network so it is hard for us to accept this argument as a statement of fact. In the price argument, Bienaime did not say this but it is implicit and others on this list have argued that one solution would be to raise the tariffs on import. However, based on simple economic principles one can understand that this option is simply fraught with problems because of the disruption it would cause on the market and on people's lives here. On the positive side, the government is in fact purchasing rice from local networks of growers through the Fund for Economic and Social Assistance (FAES) which is implementing various social programs. They may not be buying rice from Racpaba but they are indeed buying local. These efforts need to be expanded but unfortunately many people do not know about them. On the other hand, I don't know why the administration does not talk these efforts more coherently.
We should not confuse governance with governing. Most of us know how the 2008 food uprising resulted in PM Alexis' dismissal so any governing body will look at a set of mixed policies to ensure social order. The PM mentioned that keeping the price of rice and 5 other basic staples are issues of national security. If one agrees w. Mr. Bienaime's acknowledgement that local production cannot meet the demand then it seems that the next logical point is that import will be part of the solution. I am not sure there is any disagreement to that fact. On the other hand, the current administration has made what the President calls "food self-sufficiency" which means more than rice an important pillar of its strategy. I will do some of the research and share some of the efforts that the government is undertaking. I do hear of works that include clearing canals, building silos, distributing seeds and fertilizers (there are local issues w. distribution), providing technical support and providing credit. Lastly, none of these issues can be debated in the absence of the Haitian context which includes the weakness of our institutions but also the irresponsibility of citizens. I have lived here long enough to look beyond the simple criticisms or easy solutions.
My point for saying all this is simple and that is to have a fruitful debate we must have facts upon which to form opinions. I will close by paraphrasing a comment i shared with a friend who is very active on the Corbett list. If there are 10 million people in Haiti, 9.9 million of them are naysayers so we don't need Haitians living abroad to fall in the same category by simply adding their voice to the cacophony. Our distance allows us the space to be creative and engage our counterparts in Haiti in piloting and implementing creative solutions. To simply add our voice to what cannot be done or point out what is impossible is doing a disservice to ourselves and to Haiti. The diaspora has a destiny to fulfill and should play a more constructive role in advancing our country. However, our debates have to be fact-based and honest.
Again, the best to y'all for 2013 and let's work together to make a prosperous and equitable Haiti possible.
Johnny
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