A Commentary on Haiti

Haitians are a hard working people, always on the go and quite busy. Why is it then that poverty is so rampant? There are many reasons; political, technological, educational, and more. But giving some thought to the future, while assessing their resources, leads me to conclude that there are ways to correct some of these ills.

It is a well known fact that many countries, the USA among them, subsidize low prices on products such as rice which flow into Haiti. If Haitians can buy American rice at a cheap price that undercuts Haitian rice production. If the price of rice on the street is cheaper than Haitian grown rice it stands to reason that Haitians may consume and grow less Haitian rice.

I would suggest that countries tie cutting subsidies on their exports to Haiti in order to encourage Haitian production. This action should take place on rice production though other sorts of subsidies may need to continue. The point is, Haitians can grow more of their own rice.

Haitians grow plenty of papaya, plantain, and bananas, among other crops. Now that Haiti is in need of cash to rebuild while, at the same time affording her citizens the opportunity for work, why not export more of these crops. I am not sure I have ever seen such crops on the shelves of American grocery stores. Maybe these crops are on our shelves but not to the extent that they could be. I can't believe there are many countries closer to proximity to the USA, that can sell such foods, than Haiti.

I understand that goverments and businesses have to work out such deals but I am certain that such agreements can be made in the aftermath of the Janurary earthquake.

Cutting certain subsidies while finding ways to increase the export of various crops grown by Haitians seems a reasonable course of action. Now is the time to work out such arrangements for the sake of the future of Haiti.

Dick Flesher