"Anpil ti patat fè chay."
A lot of small potatoes make a load.
-Haitian proverb
Carice (Kreyòl: Karis) is a remote town in the Northeast Department of Haiti and on the western border of the Dominican Republic, approximately 100 km (60 miles) northeast of Port-au-Prince and 35 km (22 miles) south of the Atlantic Ocean. It was incorporated in 1950. It is situated along the east bank of the Libon River in the Northern Massif Mountain Range, an extension of the Cordillera Central. The population was 13,615 at the 2015 census. Historically a coffee-growing region, it has long since been relatively rich in water. It is part of the Vallières Arrondissement and the Greater Ouanaminthe metropolitan area.
About[]
Location in Haiti
Originally the first communal section of Vallière, the commune of Carice was created by the Decree of the Northern Provisional Government in July 1889.
Carice, one of thirteen Northeast Department communes has two communal sections. It is interior, its dominant relief is plains and its climate is cool. Its inhabitants bear the name of Caricien/ne.
The village is of little importance, from the point of view of the population.
History[]
Sonrisas de Carice, Haiti
• In 1791, M. de Thouzard, a white colonist, distinguished himself by a speech delivered at the colonial assembly in favor of the full emancipation of free people of color. The Thouzard habitation is named after him.
• On January 8, 1889, Carice detached from the party of the Nordistes and made its submission to the Government of the President Légitime.
• The first citizen who represented this commune to the Constituent Assembly sitting in Gonaïves, is named Jonathas Edouard Etienne.
Savanne-Salee, Carice, Haiti
Geography[]
According to the IHSI, the town has a total area of 55.97 square kilometers (21.61 square miles), of which 32.65 sq.km (58%) of it is rural, 22.39 sq.km (40%) is suburban and 0.93 sq.km (2%) of it is urban. The town is bordered by Fort-Liberté to the north, Mont-Organisé to the east, the Dominican town of Restauración to the southeast, Cerca-la-Source to the south, Mombin-Crochu to the west, and Vallières to the northwest. Notable villages in the town include Carice proper, on the town's eastern border; Cigarra, towards the north, in the Bois-Gamelle section of the town; and Nan l'Etat towards the town's southern border.
The municipalities of Carice and Mont-Organisé have a similar configuration. They form a more or less homogeneous unit dominated by plateau areas. The areas covered in these communes have allowed several types of environments to be distinguished. Such as,
The lagoons. These are areas of lowlands that are supplied with water by springs. This environment is found in both Carice and Mont-Organisé. Rainfed rice dominates this environment; however, cane can also be found.
A plateau area. It is a vast area of great discovery with the exception of coffee-based agroforestry pockets. Red soils of the ferralitic type are encountered. This environment is found in the sections of Bois-Gammelle and Rose-Bonite in Carice and Savanette in Mont-Organisé. The cultivation of coffee is in net regression. Where it is practiced, it is associated with banana under cover of fruit and forest trees. On the whole, beans, yams, cassava, and maize are widely grown.
A wet mountain area. This environment has good productive potential because of the relatively high levels of rainfall. Ferralitic red soils can be found in this environment. An agroforestry system based on coffee exists at this level, but its extension is limited. The coffee has a very low density and is grown alongside with banana under the canopy of fruit trees and forest. Open areas feature cassava, beans, yams, and sweet potatoes.
Neighborhoods[]
| CAR | Carice | 13,615 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VCR | Ville de Carice | Urban | 4,711 | ||
| 1ère Section Bois-Camelle | Rural | 2,516 | Bois Gamelle, Cigarra, Eau-Garice, Face-Au-Nord, Savane-Salée. | ||
| RBN | 2ème Section Rose-Bonite | Rural Section | 6,388 | Albert-Derina, Carice, Carrefour, Cesar, Francois-Pierre, Moïse, Morne-à-Tuf, Nan Gustin, Nan l'Etat, Nan Vilmé, Wacacou. |   Section Rose-Bonite |
Demography
Marché à Carice
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 7,000 | |
| 1998 | 11,871 | |
| 2003 | 10,180 | -14% |
| 2014 | 13,408 | +32% |
| 2015 | 13,615 | +2% |
Economy[]
Local cooperative bank, Carice, Haiti
The municipality of Carice is quite limited in terms of economic and financial resources. It lacks banks, hotels, and gas stations. Carice is in a rural region that does not offer as many employment opportunities as urban and industrialized areas.
Consequently, the residents depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihoods. The farmers in this town predominantly cultivate mangoes, bananas, and coffee, which are regarded as the key and most favored products in the region.
The municipality of Mont-Organisé exhibits a similar pattern of land use as that of the municipality of Carice, characterized by a significant extent of dense agricultural zoning with medium density. During the colonial era, the intermediate region, where these two towns converge, was utilized for coffee cultivation. The climatic conditions in this area are conducive to this crop, as the larger expanses exceed 400 meters (1,300 ft.) in elevation. Similar to other regions previously examined, coffee was cultivated within an agro-forestry framework that included banana and yam, all under the canopy of forest trees. This agricultural system persisted post-independence, with coffee remaining the predominant crop in the region until the 1980s.
Active coffee industry employee
In 1950, the construction of the road from Ouanaminthe to Carice via Mont-Organisé was primarily aimed at enhancing the transportation of coffee and lumber. This road appeared to hasten the deforestation process that had started to develop in the 1940s. The massacre of Haitians in the Dominican Republic in 1937 led to a significant influx of migrants into the region, prompting the establishment of an agricultural colony at Mont-Organisé to accommodate the newcomers.
During the early 1960s, numerous coffee plantations were looted in the wake of an uprising against the Duvalier regime. From this time onward, producers began substituting coffee trees with food crops such as beans, maize, yams, and bananas, driven not only by declining prices but also by instances of power abuse. Additionally, mining activities between 1977 and 1980 further contributed to the decrease in forest cover in the region.
RECOCARNO has supported coffee cooperatives in the maintenance of old plantations and planting of new ones. The Interamerican Institute for Cooperation for Agriculture (IICA) played a role in managing the the bark beetle, yet the outcomes were largely ineffective.
As a result, the agroforestry system that was in place after independence gradually faded away to allow for rooted culture. The coffee industry's decline due to pest infestations, low market prices, and smaller farm sizes has left wood cover for charcoal production at risk. Currently, the main crops in the area include rice, beans, cassava, sugarcane, and yam. Coffee is still grown, but only on a very small scale and is not the primary income source for farmers.
Similar to other regions, livestock farming is prevalent. Cattle, goats, horses, pigs, and poultry are commonly raised. However, the frequent occurrence of animal theft in this border area tends to discourage farmers.
In the Northeast communes, the average size of farms decreases as one travels from Carice to Bas-Maribahoux by way of Mont-Organisé and Haut-Maribahoux. Carice boasts the largest average farm size at 2.76 acres.
To address the limitations of the local labor force, some farmers depend on hired labor to meet their production requirements. The proportion of farms utilizing external labor differs across regions, with 95% in Saint-Raphaël, 84% in Grison-Garde, 80% in Bahon, 50% in Borgne, 85% in Maribahoux, 84% in Mont-Organizé, and 68% in Carice. The demand for labor peaks during critical periods for soil preparation, planting, plot maintenance, and harvesting. Regardless of the task, labor costs range from 50 to 150 gourdes per individual and time of day, with the lowest rates found in Bahon, a dry mountainous area.
To compensate for the weakness of the internal labor force, some farmers rely on hired labor for their production needs. The percentage of farms using external labor varies from one area to another. It is 95% in Saint-Raphaël, 84% in Grison-Garde, 80% in Bahon, 50% in Borgne, 85% in Maribahoux, 84% in Mont-Organizé, and 68% in Carice. The demand for labor is very high during peak periods for soil preparation, planting, plot maintenance, and harvesting. Whatever the operation, the cost of labor varies from 50 to 150 gourdes per head and period of the day. The lowest prices are observed in Bahon, a dry mountain area.
Other economic activities include coal production, small-scale trades, commerce, seedling cultivation, and motorcycle taxi services.
Agriculture[]
In a manner similar to the crop systems observed in Mont-Organisé, agricultural output in Carice comprises coffee, beans, rice, potatoes, maize, cassava, vines, and yam. These two regions create a cohesive unit where farmers adhere to identical technical practices for the primary crops. Additionally, the farms yield fruits such as avocado, orange, chadèque (grapefruit), and mango. The fruit trees are quite aged, as new plantations are infrequently established.
Coffee in Carice
Coffee system[]
Historically, coffee served as the principal cash crop for the farms in Carice. Although this crop remains present, its significance has diminished. Currently, coffee is cultivated in Bois-Gamelle and Caesar. Similar to Mont-Organisé and other coffee-producing regions in Haiti, coffee is grown within a three-tier system: (1) fruit trees (mango, avocado, and citrus) and forestry species (laurel, sucrin, and saman), (2) banana and coffee, and (3) tubers, particularly taro. The varieties and planting densities in this area mirror those found in Mont-Organisé.
Other economic activity includes coal manufacturing, small trades, trade, seedling production, and motorcycle taxi.
Enviornment[]
Though agriculture serves as the primary means of livelihood in the town, deforestation remains prevalent and impacts the quality of the soil. Nevertheless, crop production persists and continues to sustain the community's livelihoods.
Climate[]
Deforestation is not the sole issue the town encounters regarding agriculture. Flooding also poses a significant challenge for farmers. Nestled among humid mountains and wetlands, Carice experiences a climate that ranges from tropical hot to wet. The annual rainfall typically falls between 1,500 and 2,000 mm (60 to 80 inches), which is above the national average. In recent years, notable fluctuations in rainfall have been recorded, with a decline in precipitation from the north to the south. The rainy seasons occur from September to December and from April to June. During these periods, flooding can disrupt crop production in certain areas of the town. Droughts are common from January to March and from July to August.
Throughout the year, Carice maintains warm temperatures. The coolest months are January through March, with average highs around 28°C (82°F), while the hottest period spans from June to September, with average highs reaching 36°C (97°F)
The town of Carice is part of the wet plateau that it forms with Mont-Organisé. The region enjoys an average of 3,813 hours of sunshine annually. Humidity levels are generally high, ranging from 65% in January to 80% in November .
Hydrography[]
The municipalities of Mont-Organisé and Carice are relatively abundant in water resources. Due to their topography, they are drained by streams and temporary gullies that feed into other rivers in the area.
In Mont-Organisé, approximately four rivers with a torrential profile can be identified upstream: the Rivière Marigaguère, the Rivière Ténèbre, the Rivière Clérisse, and Balon. The primary rivers in Carice include the Rivière Ténèbre, Rivière Maricote, and Rivière Carice. The landscape's configuration, combined with the topography, promotes the creation of numerous small lagoons scattered throughout the community. These lagoons are important for rice cultivation.
Soils[]
The Carice plateau features mainly metamorphic rocks and quartz diorites that have evolved to different extents. The town's soils are primarily clay and loam. Similar to Mont-Organisé, Carice also has red soils in various locations.
Aerial view of Carice, Haiti
Infrastructure[]
Transportation
In addition to problems with crop production, floods impact transportation in the region. Roads become unusable during floods, and riverbanks suffer damage. As a result, locals frequently walk or use donkeys to navigate the town.
For air travel, residents of Carice must travel to Port-au-Prince or Cap-Haïtien International Airport to catch a flight.
Education
The Ministry of National Education is not represented in Carice. The town features a kindergarten, five primary schools (two public, one private, and two run by religious organizations), as well as two secondary schools (one public and one private).
Health
On the wall of the public clinic: "wash the fruits and vegetables with treated water"
The Ministry of Public Health is not represented in Carice. Two clinics were inventoried with a medical staff of three auxiliaries, a certified matron, and a laboratory technician.
Utilities and Communication
Carice's water supply is supported by three rivers, 24 springs, and 17 lagoons. Furthermore, public fountains with seven taps and a pump were recorded. At the time of the inventory, the municipality lacked electrification and telephone services. The postal service was available only in the town center. The town does not have a radio station, newspaper or magazine, nor a television station.
Security
The commune has a police station, a court of peace, and a registry office.
College Saint-Paul. Carice, Haiti
Culture[]
Religion
In the field of religion, approximately ten places of worship (including chapels and temples) have been cataloged in the municipality of Carice. Most residents identify as Roman Catholic or Protestant, especially from Evangelical backgrounds. Vodou is also practiced—frequently in conjunction with Christianity. The religious life in Carice is intricately linked to community identity, with churches serving a pivotal role in both spiritual and social engagements.
Organizations
Two political parties are present in the municipality of Carice. Additionally, seven grassroots organizations, two agricultural groups, and one women's organization have been recognized.
- Solidarité Femmes Larose is a local women's organization that improved access to potable water and reduced health issues like typhoid and diarrhea in the community.
- PACNE (Program Action Contre la Pauvreté du Nord Est) is an association that assists the local population in Carice and Mont-Organisé, focusing on community development and poverty alleviation.
- Apparent Project supports Haitian artisans by providing employment opportunities to parents, enabling them to retain custody of their children. The artisans produce jewelry, clothing, and art pieces, contributing to the local economy and promoting sustainable development.
- Audubon Society of Haiti, while not based directly in Carice, focuses on conservation and restoration of the country's biodiversity and natural ecosystems. Their activities include scientific research, education, and outreach programs.
Leisure[]
Regarding leisure activities, the municipality of Carice lacks a library, museum, or cinema. The parish hall functions as a theater space. Although there is no suitable terrain, football (soccer) and volleyball are the sports that are played in the municipality. A football field exists, but it is in a state of disrepair. Additionally, the town features eleven gaguères and a public square.
References[]
Bienvenue a Carice [1]
Ste Hélène - Evens Audate, Local guide [2]
Kosodek NE, College St-Paul - Eventz Transtamar [3]
Michael Vedrine