Introduction - Haiti, a hilly densely populated country, has experienced soil erosion problems for decades. The major impact of soil erosion in Haiti is a reduction of soil fertility that leads to decreasing agricultural pro­ductivity. Three-fourths of the country’s area is mountainous with a population density of approximately 677 individuals per square kilometers of cultivated land (Jickling and White 1995). Agricultural population den­sity in Haiti is among the highest in the western hemisphere. Agriculture, a major sector of the economy, is practiced by limited resource farmers on hillside plots exceeding 20 percent in slope. More than 60 percent of the land is currently under agricultural use, although only 32 percent of all lands are designated as arable. Almost 70 percent of the Haitian population depends directly on hillside farming (Jickling and White 1995).

    Since the mid 1900’s, domestic and international organizations have engaged in soil and water conservation campaigns in order to combat severe land degradation in Haiti. Early soil and water conser­vation efforts focused on techniques such as terraces, rock walls, and tree planting. These techniques have been largely promoted throughout the country in order to reduce soil erosion and increase agricultural pro­duction to feed an ever-growing population. Given the limited success of such practices (Paskett and Philoctete 1990), alley cropping was introduced as a technique with the capacity of not only limiting soil erosion, but also improving soil fertility.

    Agronomic and economic analyses have shown the potential of alley cropping in several develop­ing countries (Vogel 1986; Hernandez et al. 1995). Significant increases in crop yields were reported with the implementation of alley cropping in Africa (Shannon et at. 1994; Chirwa et al. 1994; Akyeampong and Hitimana 1996). Similarly, research on alley cropping indicated that this conservation practice may reduce soil loss and be more profitable than the traditional farming system (Ehui et al. 1990; Paningbatan et al. 1995). Lea (1996) reported significant crop yield increases with alley cropping in Haiti. A long-term study in Pernier, Haiti showed that alley cropping sustained crops at a higher level than rock walls, contour canals, grass rows and alternative conservation practices promoted in Haiti (Shannon et al. 2003). However, a limited number of farmers have implemented alley cropping structure on their farms. Lea (2000) reported an adoption rate of less than 20 percent alley cropping in Haiti. Moreover, established structures are not properly managed in areas where alley cropping is promoted (Pierre et al. 1995).

    This publication assesses the adoption of alley cropping in two Southern villages in Haiti. This research evaluates the pattern of adoption and management of alley cropping and examines factors influ­encing farmers’ decision to adopt or not to adopt this soil and water conservation techniques.

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