SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

Pilot farms serve as demonstration fields for sustainable agricultural practices

Training and awareness of farmers in sustainable agro-forestry practices

In 2021, a total of 335 farmers in three territories within the Virunga landscape were trained in improved agro-forestry practices. A total of 70 ha of agricultural plots have been developed with these farmers, which are located on steep hills and in difficult terrain. The adoption rate of the practices is very high as beneficiaries own small plots of land, averaging 0.1 ha per farmer, and they need to improve soil quality to raise their level of production from the limited land area available.

Training of farmers in simplified market analysisé

A total of 347 farmers were trained in simplified market analysis and rapid response to market needs in the three sites of Lubero, Rutshuru and Masisi. An agricultural yield survey was carried out in these sites with 239 women farmers, and when surplus production is greater, business links will be established.

Continued support to the pilot farm network

In the Salonga landscape, 180 pilot farmers were selected by their CLDs to be trained in improved agriculture, including fertility management, and crop rotation. These farms serve as demonstration fields, and the farmers act as peerto-peer trainers to increase sedentary agriculture, thereby reducing deforestation resulting from shifting cultivation. ISCO, Oxfam, and WWF technical staff support these pilot farmers. To date, an additional 530 households, on average 3 per pilot farm, have adopted the improved practices.

Additionally, 1,394 farmers, including 1,735 women, participated in several field schools with practical training that demonstrated techniques. A total of 19 training themes were covered in 682 sessions, including crop interplanting and rotation, lowland rice cultivation, optimal seeding techniques, plowing depth, tree nursery operation, fish pond construction and operation, management of sugar cane presses, coffee harvesting techniques, and vaccination of hens against the Pseudo Avian Plague (ASF).

Support for the development of food and perennial crops in the periphery of Salonga National Park

In collaboration with the private company GTCC, 125 hectares of oil palm is under cultivation, with the goal of developing market shares for the benefit of local communities in the value chain. A total of 600 hectares of perennial crops are planned under the project, to be continued in the next phase

Development of food and commodity crop sectors (coffee, cocoa, palm oil)

Over the last year, significant progress was made on training and promotion to improve production of food and commodity crops in the LTMN landscape. Capacity building was carried out for ten local agents from IPAPEL and CPE who participate in the supervision and support of the beneficiary communities, as well as for territorial agronomists, rural animators, and pilot farmers. Payment for Ecosystem Services contracts for agricultural sedentarization were signed with 100 pilot farmers, who will be supported to establish integrated production systems on savannas and fallow land, thereby reducing deforestation for agriculture. As well, study to examine the potential for commodity crops including cocoa, coffee, and palm oil on 1000 ha of existing degraded land was produced.

Innovations in production and processing that add value to agricultural products was the subject of a separate report, and those techniques will inform future training, benefiting the local farmers and womens’ groups.