Mouvman Peyizan Nasyonal Kongre Papay/National Congress of the Papaye Peasant Movement (MPNKP)
With more than 100,000 members, MPNKP is one of the largest and most broad-based national peasant organizations in Haiti.
MPNKP is a confederation of grassroots groups representing more than 300 peasant organizations, with a base of members in every department (state) in Haiti. Each affiliated organization of MPNKP functions autonomously. But by uniting with others based on shared principles such as a commitment to food sovereignty grounded in peasant-based agroecology, MPNKP’s members form a strong, unified base to defend the rights of Haitian peasants.
MPNKP provides technical assistance, training, and a platform for policy work as peasants strive to build a sustainable economy and participatory democracy. It is active in agricultural and cooperative production, engages its members in political education, and offers training and resources for responding to and building resilience to climate impacts.
Grassroots’ support to MPNKP has historically focused on a Creole pig repopulation project. The Creole pig was once the most important economic asset for Haitian peasants – literally their “piggy bank” – but the entire population was killed under US pressure when swine fever hit the Caribbean. MPNKP has done a great deal of work to reintroduce this life-giving asset, and more recently transitioned to goats that serve a similar function in the communities. MPNKP sees this project as an organizing tool that can work across regions and community groups.
