Haitian entrepreneur boosts local agriculture through REB Lokal

For decades Haiti’s market has been flooded with imported goods, a situation that began after tariff barriers were lowered on foreign products—especially those from the United States and the Dominican Republic—under structural‑adjustment programmes negotiated in 1994‑95 with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The surge of imports has created uneven competition for subsistence farmers who rely on traditional methods and rudimentary equipment, weakening national production. The country also continues to grapple with gang violence, political instability and inadequate infrastructure, yet many Haitians pursue ambitious projects to revive the local economy.

One such initiative is REB Lokal, founded by 38‑year‑old agronomist Rébetha Charles, a native of Jérémie who now works in the Grand’Anse department. The name REB shortens her own name, while “Lokal” highlights pride in making Haitian products. Her agri‑food enterprise buys crops directly from small farmers and processes them in a modest plant, offering items such as locally produced peanut butter. By encouraging consumers to eat what Haiti grows, the company aims to create a win‑win situation for producers and buyers alike.