Overview:
A $5 million IDB-funded irrigation system in Bassin-Bleu was vandalized, leaving farmers with out water and inflicting devastating crop losses.
PORT-DE-PAIX, Haiti — Farmers in Bassin-Bleu are reeling after thieves vandalized a $5 million solar-powered irrigation system, slicing off water to 500 acres of farmland throughout a crucial drought. The theft has left many farmers with crippling monetary losses, as they watch their crops wither with no speedy answer in sight.
For 63-year-old farmer Elimage Dessalines, the implications have been catastrophic.
“Greater than two months after the looting and destruction of this photo voltaic pumping system, drought has hit our farms laborious,” Dessalines, a member of the Bassin-Bleu Rivière Gauche Irrigators Affiliation (AIBBRG) instructed The Haitian Occasions.
“I misplaced greater than 850,000 gourdes (over $6,500), which was meant for seeds, soil preparation, and paying over 20 workers.”
The solar-powered pumping system was a part of an Inter-American Improvement Financial institution (IDB)-funded initiative launched in partnership with the Departmental Directorate of Agriculture of the Northwest (DDANO) to modernize irrigation in Haiti. It was certainly one of three methods put in in September 2020 underneath the administration of the late President Jovenel Moïse as a part of his signature regional projects, designed to pump water from the Trois Rivières to farmlands within the surrounding space. The challenge was anticipated to spice up agricultural manufacturing, fight meals insecurity, and create jobs in certainly one of Haiti’s most weak farming areas.
Nonetheless, in December 2024, thieves dismantled 66 of the system’s 114 photo voltaic panels, leaving the pumping station inoperable simply as farmers have been making ready for a brand new planting season. Native authorities and police at the moment are working to trace down stolen tools and strengthen safety, however for a lot of farmers, the injury is already executed. Crops like bananas, sugar cane, potatoes, and cassava have dried out fully, pushing some farmers into extreme debt as they battle to get better from the financial blow.
Neighborhood and authorities denounce vandalism act
Native farmers, agricultural leaders and authorities officers condemned the destruction of the photo voltaic pumping system.
“What occurred right here is tragic,” stated Communal Part Administrator (ASEC) Louisias Mésidor. “This challenge was meant to alter the lives of native farmers right here. However now, they’ve misplaced the whole lot.”
“As native authorities, we’re dedicated to monitoring down these accountable and recovering the stolen tools,” Mésidor stated.
Célonet Thelusma, a neighborhood safety guard on the irrigation web site, additionally expressed frustration.
“I’ve no intention of leaving Haiti regardless of the hardships,” Thelusma stated. “However as a youngster, I don’t have the monetary means to put money into agriculture. What little I had, I misplaced.”
Bassin-Bleu, a commune of about 65,000 individuals and positioned 11 miles south of Port-de-Paix, depends closely on agriculture. The group produces varied crops, similar to espresso, cotton, cocoa, banana, corn, beans, sugarcane, tobacco and honey. The irrigation system was anticipated to spice up regional manufacturing, cut back meals insecurity and create jobs.
Efforts to get better stolen supplies
Following the vandalism, native authorities, in collaboration with police and DDANO, launched efforts to get better stolen supplies. They’ve additionally initiated the development of a extra substantial protecting barrier across the perimeter coated by the system.
“A complete of 56 out of the 66 stolen photo voltaic panels have been discovered, because of police investigations and group cooperation,” stated Hérode Petit-Homme, secretary of AIBBRG.
One suspect, Charlérant Géralson, was arrested. He claimed he was solely employed as a driver and was unaware the panels have been stolen.
“I used to be paid 10,000 gourdes (about $77) to move 30 photo voltaic panels to the Froison locality for a person named Papy,” Géralson stated. “Later, Papy gave me 50,000 gourdes to switch to Johnson, who delivered the panels.”
Authorities proceed to research and pursue different suspects concerned within the theft.
Way forward for the irrigation challenge in Bassin-Bleu and past
Regardless of the setbacks, native leaders and farmers stay decided to revive the irrigation challenge.
“This challenge got here to our group because of a promise by the late President Jovenel Moïse,” stated Petit-Homme. “It has considerably improved the lives of farmers by permitting them to supply extra meals. We should rebuild it.”
In line with Charité Louis, director of DDANO, the IDB-funded irrigation system was working to satisfy expectations earlier than the looting.
“This challenge was a part of the Resilient Agriculture Venture for Meals Safety (PARSA), which has already been applied in a number of departments of the nation,” Louis stated.
Throughout Haiti, a number of solar-powered irrigation methods have been put in to help farmers because of IBD’s funding and help from Taiwan. The Taiwanese authorities has supported similar projects, together with 9 solar-powered water pumping methods operational within the Northwest, West and Central Plateau departments.
For Bassin-Bleu farmers, the destruction of their pumping system has prompted monetary hardship and deepened fears about safety within the area. Bassin-Bleu borders Gros-Morne, the place the Kokorat San Ras gang operates, instilling concern amongst residents.
“The criminals stole our future,” stated one farmer, who requested anonymity for security causes. “I borrowed 800,000 gourdes [$6,150] from a financial institution to put money into my crops, and now the whole lot is gone.”
Regardless of the setback, officers and farmers are decided to revive the irrigation system. Neighborhood members have begun setting up a protecting barrier across the remaining infrastructure, hoping to stop additional theft. Nonetheless, with safety issues lingering and reinstallation prices unsure, farmers are left questioning if assistance will are available time to save lots of their livelihoods.