Agriculture in RD Congo

Socio-economic life in Eastern Congo is still marked by continuous displacement related to persistent insecurity, military activities and armed groups. Around 70% of Congolese livelihoods depend on agriculture; the production is very low, with most of the population still involved in subsistence farming. Insecurity over land ownership, heavy taxation and red tape/administrative hurdles do not motivate smallholder farmers to focus on production for emerging markets or to use improved farming methods, enhance soil fertility. This results in low yields, poor quality of products and low income for small farmers.

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo recognises the importance of the agricultural sector. The main document that deals with the struggle against poverty and malnutrition is the Note de Politique Agricole. This document stresses the importance of the revival of the agricultural sector and the relation to creating job opportunities. Several additional laws have recently been adopted on the division and sustainable exploitation of land and other natural resources, such as forests and minerals. However, enforcement of these laws is still problematic, because of corruption, lack of means and education of civil servants and the highly diverse and complex power structures on the ground.

Agri-ProFocus RD Congo

Agri-Hub RD Congo was launched in November 2012 in Bukavu. It is mostly active in North- and South-Kivu, two of the easternmost provinces. The network is popular because it gives farmers new hope for entrepreneurial opportunities. It helps in the creation of an enabling environment for linking small producers to markets and existing private enterprises. The current Innovation Communities are:

• Improved access to land and other inputs for small entrepreneurial farmers
• Improved access to and information about local and regional markets
• Improved access to inputs such as seed and fertiliser
• Improved financial services for small farmer entrepreneurs, including credit as well as insurance
• Political environment
• Action research and publication

For more information, visit the online platform here.