DaAiTV_DaAi Headlines_20100526_Root problem to rice shortage.wmv

海地農技團 Root problem to rice shortage In our next story, we report on how Taiwan is trying to help Haitian farmers stand up again. The staple diet in the Caribbean nation is rice. However, two-thirds of Haitian rice is imported, exposing poor residents to fluctuations in the international market. In 2008, the world food crisis pushed up the local price of grain by two to three times. In an effort to make Haitian farmers self-sufficient, the Taiwanese government has been offering technical support since 1972, without much success. In contrast, in the neighboring country of the Dominican Republic, where Taiwan runs a similar program, rice yield is double that of Haiti. To find out why there is such a difference between the two nations, which share the island of Hispaniola, we spoke to the members of Taiwan's agricultural teams working in both countries. Food For The Poor rice kitchen In the kitchen, a cook turns over a pot of rice. Enough food is being made inside for an army. Outside a full line of people are already waiting for lunch, even though it is only 10 o'clock. 13-year-old Crisla has been setting out from home at 7 o'clock in the morning every day for a year to queue up for food. She's willing to wait in the sun for several hours to help feed her family. Haitian resident, Crisla: "There are six people in my family, who are waiting to eat." The charity Food For The Poor has been working on poverty alleviation in Haiti for 25 years. This is the only meal of the day for 1,000 households of around 5,000 people. Taiwanese technical farming aid The rice is donated by the Taiwanese government. More than direct aid, Taiwan has been providing technical support to local farmers since 1972 to help increase yield and quality. Haitian ICDF team leader, Xiang Shuisong: "If we can change it 20 percent you will find all the plant can be put together. The population will be increase a minimum of 30 percent." Working in Haiti for almost four decades, although Taiwan's International Cooperation and Development Fund is well respected locally, their efforts failed to stave off the food crisis. 18 months ago, Xiang Shuisong(向水松) decided to take action. Poverty is the fundamental problem As well as finding technical solutions, Xiang is studying the socioeconomic problems in the Artibonite Valley. In Haiti's overcrowded grain basket, the average farmer owns just half a hectare. Haitian ICDF team leader, Xiang Shuisong: "It's very hard for farmers who rely on that half a hectare in today's situation to get by. They can just eat their fill of rice only - nothing else. Haiti doesn't have any other job opportunities, so the surplus population in farming villages have nowhere else to go. That's why there's a food shortage in Haiti. It's not just that there's not enough food, poverty is the fundamental cause." 2/3 of rice is imported In 1995, the Haitian government cut the tariff on rice from 35 to 3 percent. Within ten years, imports were up 150 percent, hitting local production. For every three bowls of rice, two are imported, so fluctuations in the international market price now hit Haiti. Different story over the border In comparison, in the neighboring Dominican Republic, which shares the same island as Haiti, the two nations have similar climate and soil conditions, and also receive aid from Taiwan; yet the Dominican Republic grows twice as much rice. The frame on the right shows hand production in Haiti, while in the Dominican Republic on the left, husking is mechanized, and storeroom temperature and humidity is automatically controlled. Dominican Republic experience The Dominican Republic brand Pava Hsieh is named after the leader of the local Taiwanese agricultural technical assistance team, Xie Yingduo(謝英鐸), who is depicted in the logo wearing his signature hat. During his over 40 years of service, he developed a dozen rice strains suitable for local conditions. Dominican Republic ICDF team leader, Xie Yingze: "The United States' agricultural policy is wrong. It hampers the development of Haitian farmers. Americans keep giving them cheap rice. Over 20 years, the 10-year interest rate is just 3 percent. So they say, if the US gives us cheap rice, why should we grow?" Rebuilding from scratch? Haiti lacks a land reform strategy, and suffers from political unrest and an ineffective government. For various reasons, the country's infrastructure has collapsed. Formerly a backward neighbor, the Dominican Republic is now a paradise on earth for Haitians. But perhaps the earthquake, that shook Haiti to the core, will be a turning point in the development of the nation.