The hydroponics farm at Driftwood Farms.

Agriculture is vital in addressing the food security challenges in countries like Haiti and Abaco. With millions of people facing undernourishment and malnutrition, sustainable farming practices and agricultural education are essential for creating secure and self-sufficient food systems. Part of Many Hands’ Love in Action approach is to provide solutions for these issues.

Access to nutritious food is a significant concern in Haiti and Abaco. According to the World Food Programme (W.F.P.), millions of people in these regions face undernourishment and chronic malnutrition. The prevalence of food insecurity highlights the urgency to address these challenges through sustainable agriculture.

Many Hands is dedicated to providing farming resources and creating scalable solutions for food insecurity. We work closely with local farmers to implement practices that meet the community’s needs.

Gathering produce at Driftwood Farms

The Bahamas has a significant problem with food insecurity. Over 90% of The Bahamas’ food is imported. Only 3.2% of jobs are in the agriculture sector. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, The Bahamas had less than three days of food in the country. Food prices are expensive, with higher-than-average purchases going towards food costs for families. With little arable land, a lack of agricultural knowledge in the general population, and the potential of devasting hurricanes, many challenges in the agricultural sector exist.

In Abaco, we are building programs and partnerships focused on food production, agriculture training, and school-based programs to expand access to fresh, locally-grown produce. Through hydroponics farming, we aim to overcome the limitations of arable land and increase resilience against hurricanes. We will provide various training, including backyard farming, hydroponics, and raised garden bed farming, to enhance agriculture knowledge in the community. By partnering with organizations and the local government, we bring subject matter experts to those eager to learn. Additionally, we collaborate with primary and secondary schools to establish school gardens, providing tools, seeds, and supplies. Our efforts will result in twelve shadehouse greenhouses, a 30% increase in food production among our partners, and hydroponic training for families.