6.4 Government Initiatives to enhance Haiti’s Bioeconomy
Health initiatives significantly supported COVID-19 response efforts, delivering over 500 oxygen concentrators and 3.5 million masks to health facilities. Alongside, these projects enhanced infrastructure in 180+ health facilities, augmenting water and sanitation resources. Vaccination coverage also expanded, reaching 3.5 million children. In the domain of Water and Sanitation, a project aimed at Sustainable Rural and Small Towns Water and Sanitation considerably increased access to clean drinking water for more than 565,000 people in rural and small-town areas. It also facilitated improved sanitation for over 31,000 individuals. Furthermore, in response to the 2021 earthquake, support extended to the rehabilitation of 12 piped water systems and 8 water points. Energy projects focused on broadening access to electricity, reaching around 233,830 individuals by revamping a 1.5MW small hydropower plant and four power distribution networks in the metropolitan region. Additionally, solar photovoltaic systems were installed in approximately 474 schools, five major hospitals, and over 1,977 solar streetlamps across priority urban and rural areas. Efforts also supported off-grid solar products through loans and grants, resulting in nearly 28,000 off-grid connections by 2023. In governance, support was provided to the Ministry overseeing the energy sector and the National Energy Regulation Authority (ANARSE). The aim was to bolster oversight and assist in formulating Haiti’s national electrification strategy, targeting universal access to electricity by 2035. Agricultural endeavors, such as the Relaunching Agriculture: Strengthening Agriculture Public Services II Project (RESEPAG II), recorded significant achievements. This project registered 225,000 farmers, promoting good agricultural practices on 11,900 hectares and restoring 6,000 hectares to agroforestry. It also facilitated the establishment of processing units and supported 132 Rural Producer Organizations (OPR), fostering sub-projects in agro-processing, technology adoption, and applied research. Moreover, various interventions resulted in increased agricultural production, enhanced access to markets for over 78,000 individuals (including 36,774 women), and the distribution of livestock and vaccination campaigns benefitting over a million animals. Training programs for farmers, veterinarians, and staff significantly improved agricultural techniques and surveillance. The projects further addressed rehabilitation and disaster response, providing temporary employment, aiding in land preparation and agricultural input support post-events like Hurricane Matthew, COVID-19, and earthquakes. Additionally, activities in specific departments facilitated climate-resilient crop distribution, irrigation canal improvements, and dissemination of agricultural information to over 876,000 farmers via SMS and online platforms.
Promoting the green chemistry sector in Europe
Green chemistry entails utilizing renewable resources like crops, forests, and microorganisms to generate materials and energy. Bio-based products, including bioplastics, biodegradable clothing, fertilizers, and chemicals, stem from this approach. Shifting away from fossil fuels is crucial for preserving biodiversity and safeguarding the environment. However, transitioning to renewable and sustainable materials encounters challenges. Technologies and production methods for bio-based products must be both efficient and economically competitive to reach the market. Accessibility across all regions is essential. In various European areas, insufficient expertise and knowledge hinder the full adoption of the bio-based revolution.