On Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Karibe Hotel, agronomist Vernet Joseph, Minister of Agriculture, officially launched the Haiti-Colombia Agricultural Cooperation Mission. The ceremony was attended by Transition Advisors Leslie Voltaire and Emmanuel Vertilaire, Colombian Ambassador to Haiti Vilma Rocio Velázquez Uribe, Rector of the University of Córdoba Jairo Miguel Torres Oviedo, members of a Colombian delegation to Haiti, and representatives from several Haitian universities.

The Colombian mission will take place from August 20 to 24 in Port-au-Prince, and senior Colombian officials and their Haitian counterparts will participate in numerous meetings in Les Cayes, Cap-Haitien, and Fort-Liberté.

This initiative marks a new milestone in cooperation between the two countries. It aims in particular to strengthen family farming and modernize key sectors such as cassava, corn, beans, and beekeeping, while laying the foundations for a lasting partnership to promote food security.

In her speech, the Colombian Ambassador to Haiti praised the solidarity and friendship between the two nations, stating that the Haitian agricultural sector will find valuable support in cooperation with his country.

For his part, the Rector of the University of Córdoba, who introduced the various members of the Colombian delegation, emphasized the need to strengthen bridges between the academic world and the real-life challenges facing farmers.

For his part, Minister Vernet Joseph emphasized that this approach is an important step in strengthening cooperation between Haiti and Colombia. "This rapprochement will contribute to making Haitian family farming a true driver of resilience, innovation, and shared prosperity," the Minister firmly believes.

Speaking at the event, Councilor Leslie Voltaire emphasized the importance of international cooperation to address the current challenges facing Haiti's agricultural sector. He stated that the partnership with the University of Córdoba represents a unique opportunity to transfer knowledge, technology, and best practices, particularly in the areas of research, training, and rural development. Its modernization is essential to improve productivity, strengthen food security, and offer better prospects for the country's farmers.

This mission is expected to result in the development of a joint roadmap aimed at strengthening the resilience of Haitian farmers and promoting sustainable rural development. Following the consultation sessions in Port-au-Prince, the delegation will continue its field visits in the South, North, and Northeast departments. The delegation will visit several agro-productive sites to assess the development potential of corn, cassava, and beekeeping. It will also take the opportunity to meet with local organizations already involved in these sectors.

HL/ HaitiLibre