Inside Haiti’s biodiversity: Soil types reveal a vast treasure buried in plain sight

FORT-LIBERTÉ — Under a scorching midday sun, farmer Elie Louis presses a hoe into earth that feels both familiar and fickle. He’s known this soil for more than three decades. The feel of it in his palms, the resistance when dry, the scent it releases after a rare rain. 

“I plant by memory,” Elie says, crouching to loosen a clump of hardened clay, recently. “The ground tells me what it wants.”

In Haiti, the soil does indeed speak. It tells stories layered in history, geology and, too often, neglected opportunity. Across the country’s 27,750 square kilometers, the land is made up of a range of soils. Each type of earth has distinct qualities that determine what plants might grow best in each region. Yet, across the country, one consistent lament is that without investment in soil preservation, irrigation or training, Haiti’s subterranean wealth will remain untapped even as the country’s need for its fruits rises.

A treasure trove buried in plain sight

Agronomists often say the soil tells the story of Haiti’s economic struggles and potential. They and development expats have said the path to food sovereignty, to staving off the near famine the country now faces, starts from the ground up. To them, understanding the soil’s capabilities is a crucial step in addressing its agricultural crisis. 

“From a biodiversity standpoint, Haiti is a mosaic of ecosystems,” said agronomist Longuisse Simon, who has worked with farmers in the Northeast for over two decades. 

“If we train farmers in soil-specific techniques, and if we invest in irrigation and organic amendments, this country could feed itself and then some,” he added. 

Across all regions, Haiti’s political crises, deforestation and lack of policy have exacerbated the lack of large-scale mechanized farming, soil management and export channels necessary to make the most of the land. 

But the land remains, waiting.

Here’s a look at the various soil types dominant in different parts of the country.

The Artibonite Valley

Alluvial soil — Nourishing Haiti’s breadbasket 

The Artibonite Valley, often dubbed Haiti’s “breadbasket,” sits atop alluvial soil—sediments deposited over time by rivers like the Artibonite and La Quinte. Fertile and flat, these soils are ideal for growing rice, corn and sugarcane.

Yet, Haitian farmers in this area face intense competition from U.S. rice imports. Agronomist Jacques Thomas notes, “We have the soil, the water, the know-how. What we don’t have is fair market protection or sustained investment in tools and processing facilities.”

Limitations: Fertile valleys abound in the Artibonite, but deforestation and poor land management have taken a toll. The soil has lost its nutrients, and many farmers do not have access to fertilizers or modern irrigation.

The Centre Department 

An array of soil types can be found in this part of the country extending from Hinche laterally into the Artibonite and northward, according to a  2013 – “Soil nutrient management in Haiti, pre-Columbus to the present day: lessons for future agricultural interventions” released by Bargout and Raizada. Open Access Content

North/Northwest 

Volcanic soil —  aka black gold — reigns 

Despite their challenges, clay soils in Haiti are among the most productive if managed properly. Regions like Jean-Rabel, located in the Northwest region, boast high crop yields from this mix of water retention and rich humus.

Near Limbé, volcanic soil reveals itself through its dark color and soft, loamy texture. Rich in humus and naturally fertile, it’s a rare and underutilized asset.

“We should be exporting coffee and cocoa like we did in the 1960s,” said Wilfrid Sinclus, an agronomist in Cap-Haïtien. “Instead, we have these amazing volcanic lands sitting idle, or growing just enough to feed one family.” 

The Northwest’s rocky terrain and prolonged droughts make it one of the least arable regions in the country. Farmers rely on drought-resistant crops like cassava and peanuts, but unpredictable weather patterns threaten even those yields.

Clay soil — Ideal for peas..and circle of life 

Clay soil is really humid and rich in nutrients, with many essential elements plants need to rise and grow, such as the capacity to retain water, sunlight to make it dry out quickly. The region produces a lot of corn and peas, as a result. Dérilus said after the harvests, the leaves decompose and are transformed into fertilizer used to grow new plants.

“These soils were once seen as useless,” said agronomist Carles Marc Dérilus. “But with compost and crop rotation, they can support valuable niche markets, like essential oils or medicinal herbs.”

Limitations: The North may sit on fertile land, with deep, loamy soil ideal for crops like bananas, sugarcane, and cocoa. However, limited access to modern farming tools and financial support hampers productivity. The sandy soil in the Northwest cannot retain water for long and is very poor in nutrients.

South/Southeast/Southwest

Calcareous and clay soils — Retention and resistance needed

Travel around the Southwest toward Mont-Organisé or Carice, and you’ll find clay soils—dense, alkaline earth that retains water and resists drought. These soils support rice, sugarcane, and tubers but require more labor to till and often need soil conditioning agents like lime or ash.

In limestone-rich areas, especially parts of the South and Southeast, calcareous soil emerges. Pale, chalky and highly alkaline, these soils struggle to retain nutrients. Still, they host crops like agave, citrus and aromatic herbs, particularly when paired with natural fertilizers.

FONHDAD found these calcareous and skeletal soils, described as “thin, stony layers formed on limestone,” are highly alkaline and low in organic matter, limiting their ability to retain water and nutrients.

Limitations: Drought and erosion, especially on steep slopes, are likely due to their formation. FONHDAD has stressed the need for reforestation, soil cover, and tailored fertilization to make cultivation sustainable in these fragile landscapes.

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