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Research Aims to Improve Life of Haitians Through Agriculture
January 29, 2010
As Haiti grapples with the aftermath of a catastrophic earthquake, a University of Guelph researcher is setting up a lab aimed at improving the lives of Haitians and limiting the destruction caused by natural disasters.
Prof. Manish Raizada of the Department of Plant Agriculture is investigating how indigenous and innovative agricultural techniques can better the livelihoods of Haitian farmers as well as prevent devastating mudslides following natural disasters.
“Haitian farmers struggle with hilly land, deforestation, and heavy and intermittent rainfall, which all contribute to massive soil erosion,” said Raizada. “Extreme drought and downpours from climate change will only further devastate million of Haitians. The purpose of this research is to work towards long-term reconstruction of Haiti that will not only help establish sustainable agriculture in this extremely impoverished country, but will also protect people from the threat of mudslides.”
